VANCOUVER—A Vancouver man has been charged under the Public Health Act for failing to follow an HIV treatment plan, in what medical experts are calling a very exceptional case which highlights the overall success of the HIV prevention programs in the city for the majority of patients. The man was charged in June under the Public Health Act on four counts, which include contravening orders made by a medical officer to follow a treatment plan during a nine-month period starting in August 2017. She said that charges under the Public Health Act, which are not criminal, are only done at the absolute last resort so as to do as little harm as possible. Townson said that cases of people living with HIV and being a high risk are rare because the public health system has been largely effective. “The public health system does exactly what its intended to do,” he said.

Source: thestar August 26, 2018 01:30 UTC