Message from the Minister on World Tuberculosis Day

March 24, 2009

Tuberculosis (TB) is a devastating airborne infectious disease that kills nearly 1.7 million people each year. Since it primarily strikes people aged 18 to 59, it also leaves children without their mothers and fathers, and debilitates women and men in the prime of life. TB is the second largest infectious killer of adults, after AIDS.

The Government of Canada, through the Canadian International Development Agency, is proud to play a vital role in the battle against TB. Over the years, CIDA has contributed over $240 million to fight TB. Significant results have been achieved, thanks to programs targeted to addressing gaps in health systems and particularly to reaching the poorest and most vulnerable. Canada has contributed to the successful treatment of more than four million TB sufferers and saved over half a million lives.

In addition, since 2006, Canada has committed over $366 million to the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria, which allocates approximately 14 percent of its funds to tuberculosis. Since it began, 3.3 million people have successfully been treated for the disease through the Fund.

Canada is committed to working with partners to eliminate tuberculosis as a significant global health problem and improving access to diagnosis and treatment, especially for the poor. The effectiveness and accountability of Canadian aid is a priority for the Government of Canada. This government is taking concrete actions to ensure that our aid resources reach those in need.