Statement from BC-CfE Director Dr. Julio Montaner on Canada’s Pledge to End AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria

published on May 9, 2016

Vancouver, BC [May 9, 2016] The BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE) commends and thanks Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on committing to ending AIDS, malaria and TB globally by 2030, and on increasing the federal government’s investment in the Global Fund. By reaching out to key population groups, removing any barriers to care and treatment and engaging everyone in prevention and testing, we can end these illnesses.

Canada’s support is critical in the field of HIV and AIDS. We can provide a model of leadership by generating greater access to treatment for those living with HIV, both at home and abroad. We have the potential to meet the ambitious UN Sustainable Development Goal of 90-90-90 by 2020: 90% of those living with HIV diagnosed, 90% of those diagnosed on treatment and 90% of those on treatment with undetectable viral loads.

The 90-90-90 targets are built on principles of the made-in-BC Treatment as Prevention strategy. TasP means expanding testing and providing immediate treatment to those diagnosed with HIV. Once on consistent and sustained treatment, an individual’s viral load decreases in their blood and sexual fluids to undetectable levels, making transmission very unlikely.

In British Columbia, we have already had great success through TasP and seen significant drops in new HIV cases, especially among hard-to-reach groups such as people who inject drugs. BC is the only province to implement TasP and the only one to have a consistent decline in new HIV cases.

We welcome the Government of Canada’s bold new steps towards recommitting to the Global Fund’s fight against three health burdens of our time: AIDS, malaria and TB. We have the tools and the strategies to save millions of lives, improve global health and end these devastating illnesses for good.

-Dr. Julio Montaner, OC, OBC, MD, FRCPC, FCCP
Director of the BC Centre of Excellence in HIV/AIDS

About the British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS
The BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE) is Canada’s largest HIV/AIDS research, treatment and education facility and is internationally recognized as an innovative world leader in combating HIV/AIDS and related diseases. BC-CfE is based at St. Paul’s Hospital, Providence Health Care, a teaching hospital of the University of British Columbia. The BC-CfE works in close collaboration with key provincial stakeholders, including government, health authorities, health care providers, academics from other institutions, and the community to decrease the health burden of HIV and AIDS. By developing, monitoring and disseminating comprehensive research and treatment programs for HIV and related illnesses, the BC-CfE helps improve the health of British Columbians.

For additional information or to request interviews, please contact:
Caroline Dobuzinskis
BC-CfE
Phone: 604-682-2344 ext. 66536
Cell: 604-366-6540
Email: cdobuzin@cfenet.ubc.ca

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BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS

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Statement from BC-CfE Director Dr. Julio Montaner on Canada’s Pledge to End AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria

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