MANAGER'S REPORT, February 20, 1987... - 6 «© « (SOCIAL: A-2 = 8)

Clause No. 1 continued

The Provincial Government has paid most of the direct and indirect cost
of AIDS and will inevitably be called upon to provide even more funds in
the next § - 10 years. To ensure that the monies from the various levels
of government and private sources are wisely spent on the most important
needs, the Provincial Government should take the initiative. The
Province should establish a high profile 8.C, AIDS Task Force to plan and
coordinate the multi-agency initiatives against AIDS... The Government and
the Task Force need a full-time person appointed to serve as the B.f.
AIDS Coordinator. The need for action is now and it is important that
the people of B.C. get a clear, loud unambiguous message that the B.C.
Government is taking this threat seriously. -

SUMMARY

AIDS has become a major health problem in our community within the last §
years. By 1991 we will have over 1,000 cases occurring each year. The
biggest concern is for the large reservoir of HIV infected people who
will be the source of cases throughout the years 1991 ~ 2000. Spread of
the virus must be stopped and the effort must begin now. For today and
for the foreseeable future the only preventive measure with a chance of
blocking transmission 1s public education. Success will depend on the
extent to which we are prepared ta redirect our energies, imagination and.
resources to the task.”

RECOMMENDATIONS
The Medical Health Officer recommends that Counet7:

A. Identify the Acquired Imruno=deficiency syndrome as its top health
priority for the foreseeable future.

8. Instruct the Medical Healta Officer to review requests for crants
related to AIDS sroorams and report on both City and arant-funded
AIDS proerans.

Request other Lower Mainland municipalities to contribute on a
per-capita basis toward a $100,000 fund for AIDS Vancouver for its
educational and comaunity volunteer programs for the year July 1987,
to June 1988.

Request the Provincial Gevernment to establish an AIDS Task Force
made up of knowledgeable persons from around British Columb{ia to
undortake planning and coordination of the multi-agency prevention
and disaase-control efforts throughout the Province.

Request the Provinelal Government to appoint a full-time Provincial
AiDS Coordinator to work with the Task Force, varfous ministries
involved in AIDS and local community agencies.

Request that the Federal and Previneial Governments continue and
expand their support to AIDS Vancouver.

Raquest the Federal Government to substantially increase funding for
public education.