In recognition of the upcoming World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, Health Minister Terry Lake has made the following statement:
“With World AIDS Day just around the corner, we remember the many families who have suffered a loss from HIV/AIDS. And we acknowledge the incredible scientists, researchers, health-care workers and advocates who have made it possible for us to envision an AIDS free generation.
“B.C. is home to much of this phenomenal work, through sustained support from government, commitment from the health-care system and outstanding research and clinical advances from the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, under the leadership of Dr. Julio Montaner. The BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS was a major driver in these developments and contributed to the discovery of highly active antiretroviral therapy, known as HAART. This therapy makes long, healthy lives possible for people living with HIV and virtually eliminates HIV transmission, through the made-in-BC Treatment as Prevention strategy, also pioneered by Dr. Montaner and his colleagues at the BC Centre for Excellence. Through these efforts, we have virtually eliminated AIDS in B.C. – so much so that we were able to repurpose the AIDS ward at St. Paul’s Hospital.
“On November 22, Dr. Montaner received the Research Canada Leadership Award on behalf of the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS. This award recognizes a Canadian health research organization that has made considerable contributions to the health and well-being of Canadians. I congratulate Dr. Montaner and the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS for this well-deserved recognition, and thank him for the ground-breaking, internationally recognized work that has made it possible for the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) to call for the end of the AIDS pandemic by 2030.
“In B.C., HIV treatment is provided free of charge to any British Columbian living with HIV. As well, the STOP HIV/AIDS program – that supports universal offers of testing, early treatment and retention in care, rolled out across the province in 2013, is now fully implemented through $19.9 million in additional annual, targeted government funding.
“Since 1996, HIV/AIDS-related deaths in B.C. have decreased by more than 95% and newly-diagnosed HIV infections are down by two-thirds. Through the use of antiretroviral medications, mother-to-child transmission of HIV in B.C. has been virtually eliminated. More British Columbians are getting tested early, which gives health-care workers an opportunity to offer the treatment, care and support that can improve quality of life, and it reduces the risk of passing the virus on to others. In 2015-16, more than 50% of British Columbians who were newly diagnosed with HIV and assessed were in the early stage of their illness.