March 24, 2012
Tuberculosis (TB) affects adults in their most productive years, particularly the poorest segments of populations. If we detect TB early and treat it, the disease becomes non-infectious and curable.
This allows people who suffer from TB to care for their families, re-engage in their communities, and earn their livelihoods.
Our programs with international partners helped successfully treat more than four million tuberculosis sufferers and saved half a million lives.
Since effective antibiotics became available, we reduced the spread of TB. However, this infectious lung disease still kills an estimated 1.4 million people every year, and we detect nine million new cases annually—most of them in developing countries.
Canada continues to work with our partners to strengthen health systems so that people suffering from this preventable illness, have the treatments they need.
Beverley J. Oda
Minister of International Cooperation
