VANCOUVER – The Government of B.C. is providing St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation with $2 million to help the Hope to Health Research Clinic expand.
Health Minister Terry Lake made the announcement in Vancouver last night at the eighth International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention (IAS 2015), the world’s largest open scientific conference on HIV/AIDS related issues. “Having the IAS choose Vancouver as the host of their 2015 conference is a testament to B.C.’s reputation as a leader in HIV/AIDS testing and treatment,” said Lake. “With this funding for St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation to expand the Hope to Health Research Clinic, we continue to lead the way in addressing some of the greatest health challenges of our time.”
This announcement follows the June 25, 2015 opening of the Hope to Health Research Centre, a world-class HIV/AIDS, addiction and viral hepatitis research centre at 611 Powell Street in the Downtown Eastside. With this new provincial investment and support from the world’s most competitive peer-reviewed granting agencies, Hope to Health will develop 625 Powell Street, which will add an additional 186 square metres (20,000 square feet) to the existing facility.
Hope to Health is a new research clinic of the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE) that enables top Canadian researchers to inform targeted disease elimination strategies. Under the leadership of Dr. Julio Montaner and Dr. Evan Wood, the clinic focuses on HIV/AIDS studies; at-risk youth; gender and sexual health; strategies for viral hepatitis; addictions and other related conditions.
“Addressing addictions and viral hepatitis goes hand-in-hand with the work we’re doing at BC-CfE,” said Montaner. “We’re grateful to the Province for continuing to help us in addressing the needs of some of the most vulnerable populations.” B.C. is a leader in HIV and AIDS treatment and prevention. Since 1996, HIV/AIDS-related deaths in B.C. have decreased by more than 95%. Newly diagnosed HIV infections have dropped from 850 per year in the mid-1990s to 260 in 2014.
Through the BCCfE Drug Treatment Program, HIV drugs, such as Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) are provided free of charge to any British Columbian living with HIV/AIDS. As well, the STOP HIV/AIDS pilot project to expand HIV testing, treatment, prevention and support was rolled out throughout the province in 2013 thanks to $19.9 million in annual government funding.