A made-in-B.C. strategy in the fight against HIV-AIDS is gaining international traction. British Columbia and China are uniting in the global fight against the disease with the establishment of a new research fellowship that will bring top Chinese scientists to Vancouver to work with researchers at the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV-AIDS.
Premier Christy Clark signed a memorandum of understanding in Beijing Tuesday, while on a trade mission, to cement the relationship between China and B.C. in the fight against HIV-AIDS.
"The B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV-AIDS is recognized around the world as a leader in research and innovation - especially here in China," Clark said. "HIV and AIDS is a global problem and we are committed to sharing our expertise."
The memorandum formalizes a commitment to develop new research and HIV programs and establishes a three-year HIV fellowship for Chinese scientists to travel to Canada and collaborate with scientists in B.C.
China announced its adoption of the made-in-B.C. treatment as a prevention strategy for combating HIV-AIDS. The program involves widespread HIV testing and implementation of highly active anti-retroviral therapy for people with the disease (HAART).
HAART has been shown to dramatically reduce the progression of HIV to AIDS, and virtually stop transmission. The strategy has been endorsed by the World Health Organization in its official guidelines and adopted by Brazil, the United States, France and China.
Dr. Julio Montaner, director of the BCCFE said "this is a multilateral cooperation that allows us to take the made-in-B.C. strategy to help fight the epidemic elsewhere."
Montaner says there is an "incredible sense of satisfaction to see this happening," although he is dismayed that the federal government has still not adopted the strategy across Canada. B.C. is the only province implementing treatment as prevention.
None of the international success in the fight against HIV-AIDS through treatment as prevention would have been possible without the support of the B.C. government, said Montaner, support that has helped make B.C. a leader in HIV-AIDS treatment and research.
"Christy Clark has stated her enthusiasm publicly for the work we are doing in B.C. and internationally," said Montaner.
"Her involvement in the signing of the (memorandum) in China carries a very strong message to the international community that this is not just a bunch of scientists working in isolation and to have the support of the government to do what is right."
Montaner says the BCCFE is exploring the possibility of expanding the treatment as prevention strategy to other illnesses, such as hepatitis B and C.
