Tuberculosis

Canada Remains Committed to the Global Fight Against Tuberculosis

Today, tuberculosis ― a contagious, bacterial airborne disease ― still claims approximately 2 million lives each year, posing a significant health risk to poor and malnourished people living in developing countries. In most instances, tuberculosis is a curable disease.

Canada is a major contributor in the fight against tuberculosis, and through CIDA, reaches people suffering from tuberculosis who have limited access to quality health care services, often the most vulnerable members of society.

Canada's approach to fighting tuberculosis globally relies on strong and effective collaboration with partners such as the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, the Stop Tuberculosis Partnership, the Global Drug Facility and the World Health Organization.

Canada continues to be a significant contributor to the Global Fund which has allowed more than 7.7 million people with tuberculosis to receive treatment. Canada is also concerned with the tuberculosis/HIV co-epidemic, especially as tuberculosis is the leading cause of death in people who are HIV-positive.

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Results

The global community's efforts are paying off. The number of people receiving proper treatment for tuberculosis has almost quadrupled from 1.9 million in 2000 to 7.7 million in 2010, and the incidence rates are declining worldwide. This is an area where dramatic progress has been made towards achieving the 2015 Millennium Development Goals.

Canada is a recognized leader in the global fight against tuberculosis and is committed to eliminating tuberculosis as a significant global health problem. For instance, Canada:

• served as founding chair of the Stop Tuberculosis Partnership (STP) which was established in 2000
• founded, and is the leading donor to, the Global Drug Facility ― an STP project that improves access to quality anti-TB drugs in resource-poor countries
• developed FIDELIS, an innovative TB control initiative that targets the poorest segments of the population in developing countries
• supported the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria since its inception and is contributing more than $1.5 billion ― the largest contribution ever made by Canada to an international health institution
• provided more than $6 million to the WHO's National Tuberculosis Control Programme in Afghanistan
• committed almost $100 million toward the TB REACH program designed to encourage innovative interventions and improve the detection and treatment of tuberculosis

Tuberculosis strikes people during their most economically productive years, from ages 18 to 59. Beyond detecting and curing those who are suffering from tuberculosis, CIDA's contributions enable people to continue contributing to the well-being of their own families and communities.

While the progress is real, much remains to be done. Commitments to global tuberculosis control must be maintained and Canada remains committed to this vital effort.