New health centre focused on mother-child infectious diseases underway in Quebec
She emphasized that despite medical and public health advances, challenges related to infectious diseases are continuing to grow.
A new Centre of Excellence in Infectious Diseases dedicated to mother-child patients is being established in Quebec through a collaboration between the Université de Montréal and the CHU Sainte-Justine.
This specialized research center will focus on the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases affecting pregnant women and prematurely born children, with particular attention to vulnerable populations.
The project is the first of its kind in Canada and will have an estimated budget of $30 million.
Intact Financial Corporation has contributed $5 million to kickstart the center's activities, which include hiring researchers and clinicians to begin the work.
Intact Financial Corporation CEO Charles Brindamour emphasized that the initiative is research-driven and will help transform hospital service delivery, though it will not function as a clinic.
He noted the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, underscoring the need for more support in researching infectious diseases to bolster resilience.
Louis Gagnon, CEO of Intact Canada, explained that the center will serve as a research infrastructure aimed at better preparing the healthcare system for future pandemics, especially in communities more vulnerable to infectious diseases.
Isabelle Demers, President and CEO of CHU Sainte-Justine, shared that the center’s focus on improving the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infections would ultimately benefit all populations, particularly the most vulnerable.
She emphasized that despite medical and public health advances, challenges related to infectious diseases are continuing to grow.
Brindamour, who also co-chairs the CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation’s "Voir grand" fundraising campaign, highlighted the unique dynamics of mother-child patients, noting that the risk of transmission between mother and child is much higher.
He further emphasized the importance of supporting vulnerable populations, including disadvantaged, Indigenous, and immigrant communities, through targeted research efforts.
Gagnon, who co-chairs the Université de Montréal’s "L’heure est brave" fundraising campaign, explained that the contribution from Intact Financial Corporation, which included a personal $1 million donation from both him and Brindamour, is the only donation received so far.
He expressed hope that the initiative will inspire further investment in this important cause.
