B.C. honours Dr. Julio Montaner for pioneering HIV-AIDS research at St. Paul’s

published on November 26, 2014 in The Province

The province of B.C. recognized and thanked Dr. Julio Montaner this week for his decades-long work and research in HIV/AIDS care, treatment and prevention, which has led to B.C. becoming a world leader in pioneering treatment for HIV patients.

The announcement from Health Minister Terry Lake comes just days before World AIDS Day, internationally celebrated on Dec. 1.

“Nobody in Canada has made a bigger contribution to the field of HIV/AIDS research and treatment than Dr. Julio Montaner,” Lake said in a statement Wednesday.

Montaner, who is currently the director of the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, began working in the field in the early 1980s at St. Paul’s Hospital, when HIV “was an as-yet unknown enemy,” said Lake.

“He was an advocate for his patients, seeking innovative ways to treat their mysterious infections,” Lake said.

From there, Montaner became the head of St. Paul’s AIDS clinic and pioneered work on “the now-ubiquitous model of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART),” which has since become the international standard of care and has allowed HIV/AIDS patients to lead longer, healthier lives.

As a result of Montaner’s work, B.C.’s annual rate of new infections have dropped from approximately 850 in the mid 1990s, to 238 in 2012. HIV/AIDS-related deaths in B.C. have also decreased by more than 95 per cent since 1996.

Dr. Montaner’s model of care has also been adopted by countries around the world including France, Spain, Brazil, Argentina, parts of the United States, and China.

On Dec. 1, representatives of UNAIDS and French political leaders will highlight B.C.’s progress on achieving “an AIDS-free generation.”

“In fact, in September 2014, the United Nations launched its 90-90-90 treatment target, which has a goal of ending the AIDS epidemic worldwide by 2030. This goal is modelled on B.C.’s strategy,” Lake said. “It is fitting that next year, Vancouver will host the 8th International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention, with Dr. Montaner serving as the conference’s co-chair. “

Montaner was also recently inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame.

“On behalf of all British Columbians, I would like to thank him for his tireless efforts to help reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS and ensure that British Columbians living with or vulnerable to HIV/AIDS are reached by the very best prevention, testing, care and treatment services,” said Lake.

Staff Reporter
The Province
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B.C. honours Dr. Julio Montaner for pioneering HIV-AIDS research at St. Paul’s

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