Vancouver, B.C. [April 16, 2015] The BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE) was honoured on Thursday at the 17th Annual LifeSciences BC Awards for their accomplishments advancing science to treat and prevent HIV and AIDS in British Columbia and around the world. LifeSciences BC is a not-for-profit, non-government, industry association that supports and represents the life sciences community of British Columbia. The event, hosted by Bob McDonald of Quirks and Quarks, celebrated the theme of”Growing Community, Collaboration and Value.”
“This year’s theme of collaboration is fitting in light of the invaluable support the BC-CfE has received throughout the years from community partners and the provincial government,” said Dr. Julio Montaner, Director of the BC-CfE.”We are greatly honoured to receive this award and recognition for the advances made in the fight against HIV and AIDS in British Columbia. As the BC-CfE moves forward in our research on testing, treatment and care, I believe with the continued support of our partners, we can reach an AIDS-free generation here and worldwide.”
Dr. Montaner was the key driver in the discovery of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), a game changer in the treatment of HIV. Now the gold standard in care around the world, HAART improves health and longevity of those living with HIV while dramatically reducing the likelihood of disease transmission. By advocating for the earlier implementation of HAART in order to curb the spread of HIV, Dr. Montaner also pioneered Treatment as Prevention¨ (TasP¨). B.C. is the only province to implement the strategy, and the only one to see a consistent decline in new cases of HIV.
These advances in B.C. are playing a major role internationally with UNAIDS aiming to eliminate AIDS by 2030 using a strategy based on principles of TasP¨. The UNAIDS’ 90-90-90 target is 90 per cent of all individuals living with HIV diagnosed, 90 per cent of those diagnosed on sustained treatment, and 90 percent of those on treatment with a suppressed viral load. If this goal is reached, HIV will be transformed from a global epidemic to a low-level endemic disease.
Staff at the BC-CfE are dedicated to the mandate of the BC-CfE of improving the health of British Columbians with HIV through the development, ongoing monitoring and dissemination of comprehensive research and treatment programs for HIV and related diseases. The BC-CfE provides care and treatment to those living with HIV and AIDS, advances laboratory research on the disease, educates doctors and healthcare professionals throughout the province, and promotes evidence-based social policy that helps protect people from acquiring the virus.
About the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE)
Canada’s largest HIV/AIDS research, treatment and education facility 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 the B.C. 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 living with HIV.
For additional information or to request interviews, please contact:
Caroline Dobuzinskis
Phone: 604-682-2344
Cell: 604-366-6540
Email: cdobuzin@bccfe.ca
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