It is a source of great pride to have Canada hosting the Fifth Replenishment Conference of the Global Fund in Montréal, Quebec. I am especially proud Canada has increased its investment in the Global Fund and has committed to bring an end to AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
In my role as medical researcher and as Director of the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE), I have seen HIV and AIDS defeated in communities often defined as”hard-to-reach.” This includes among injection drug users, a key population some assumed would not adhere to HIV treatment. We observed that providing support and access to regular treatment led to a dramatic drop in HIV transmission among this group.
In British Columbia, through a combination of the made-in-BC Treatment as Prevention¨ model, the universal and immediate provision of HIV treatment upon diagnosis, and harm reduction, including needle exchanges and a supervised injection facilities, HIV transmission rates throughout the province have been in a steep decline. BC is the only province to implement TasP¨ and the only to see a consistent drop in HIV transmission. On sustained treatment, an individual living with HIV can achieve levels of virus that are undetectable by standard blood tests. When this happens, the likelihood of HIV transmission becomes negligible.
Research evidence from BC and across the world has shown providing treatment is a viable path to ending AIDS. We know that providing universal HIV treatment is possible. South Africa recently joined other countries such as China, Brazil, Spain, France and Panama, which have adopted the TasP¨ treatment model for HIV. More nations must join this movement that will carry us towards an AIDS-free generation.
In spite of many victories, social and economic inequities can hinder our progress. These challenges present themselves within Canada, a resource-rich environment with a unique health care system. In BC, outreach workers are sometimes knocking on doors, offering individuals living with HIV assistance with housing or employment needs to help them stay on track with treatment. Often, we hear of success stories: people who have turned their lives around and achieved undetectable levels of HIV through treatment.
In low-income countries, the challenge to address inequities can be even greater and can require building programs from the ground up. It takes investment in change to meet social and economic needs, to make improvements in people’s overall wellbeing, and to build infrastructure to support health. Canada’s support is part of the critically needed funding to globally expand HIV treatment.
Thank you, Canada. Your significant contribution to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is helping to build the bridge to an AIDS-free future.
About the British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS
The BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE, www.bccfe.ca) 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
Cell: 604-366-6540, Phone: 604-682-2344 ext. 66536
Email: cdobuzin@bccfe.ca
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