The GNWT has opened a temporary STI clinic in Yellowknife which will stay open for at least a year, according to the GNWT.

Kami Kandola, the territory's chief public health officer, explained that part of the reason why the clinic exists is because of the high rates of STIs in the territory.

"We have high rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea and we have high rates of syphilis," said Kandola, who referenced the ongoing syphilis outbreak declared in 2019.

From the start of 2019 to Sept. 30 this year, the NWT has had 680 cases of syphilis reported to her office, said Kandola, most of which is coming from Yellowknife.

The reason syphilis is so hard to get under control, she added, is multifold.

"By and large, people don't have symptoms (associated) with syphilis, but most of the time they may forget that they had this painless sore or they may have discounted a flu-like symptom to be something else," she said. "So, they don't have symptoms and then it can only be diagnosed by a blood test. If you're at risk in any way, you need to be able to get tested quickly."

The clinic is located on 487 Range Lake Rd. and accepts both appointments and walk-ins, according to the GNWT. Anyone with a valid NWT health care card will have access to free services.

The clinic hours are Monday to Friday between 4:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Kandola highlighted that these specific hours make it easier for people to show up if they can't get time off work. 

"It's all in one service, so nurses do provide them a urine test for some of the STIs and they do a blood draw," said Kandola. "They don't have to go to a lab and get their blood drawn, especially when lab services are very hard to get in terms of access right now."

Vanessa McConnell, a Calgary-based registered psychologist with training in sex therapy and trauma-based work, said that opening up a clinic like this can help with the stigma surrounding STIs.

McConnell said she has been working with people in the NWT for about eight months and that she's heard how unique the challenges are when it comes accessing health services, noting travel often needs to happen.

"Working with folks in Yellowknife, resources can be limited," said McConnell. "The more diverse services available, the better."