Community News

WE MUST STEP UP IN THE FIGHT AGAINST TUBERCULOSIS

The COVID-19 pandemic has illustrated the power of strong political will and global multi-sectoral partnerships in promoting health equity.

Vaccine producers and governments donated over $1 billion of vaccines to lowand-middle-income countries through COVAX. While imperfect, the international response to COVID-19 has shown us that global co-operation and solidarity can help advance infectious disease control and elimination efforts.

The international community must possess this same drive and commitment to address the global burden of tuberculosis (TB). More importantly, Canada must be at the forefront of this fight to end TB.

More than 1.6 million people died from TB in 2021. While TB predominantly affects the poorest populations, the disease is also highly prevalent among Indigenous communities in Canada. For example, the rate of TB among Inuit people is more than 300 times higher when compared to non-indigenous Canadian counterparts.

TB deaths increased for the first time in over a decade during the pandemic, suggesting there has been a stark increase in the number of Tb-positive people that are going undiagnosed and untreated.

Canada has a history of being a leader in tuberculosis elimination. In 2010, Canada co-founded and continues to be a leading donor to TB REACH, a funding partnership between national governments and civil society.

As a high-income nation, I hope to see Canada continue to play its part in creating a healthier and more equitable tomorrow for all by investing in TB elimination.

VEDA JAIN-ALLINGTON

OPINION

en-ca

2023-03-23T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-03-23T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://communitynews.pressreader.com/article/281517935366831

Metroland Media Group Ltd.