OTTAWA, July 18 /CNW/ - Millions of men, women and children in developing
countries face a lifelong struggle against disease and malnutrition. Here in
Canada, we assume that we are all more than likely to lead healthy, disease-
free lives. But disease travels freely in our global community.
That's why it's so important for Canada to continue to contribute to the
fight against disease world wide. The international community is in a position
to stop the spread of many highly contagious maladies, as well as to prevent
disease from taking root in a community. As Minister for International
Cooperation responsible for the Canadian International Development Agency
(CIDA), I can assure the Canadian public that Canada is doing its part, and in
many cases is a world leader when it comes to contributing to international
health programs.
Canada is making a difference, not only in the fight against the world's
deadliest diseases - HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria - but also in broader
areas of disease prevention through immunization programs, vitamin A
supplementation, and other nutrition programs. This work is further supported
through our funding of education and school programs, especially in Africa,
that teach young people about good health practices, and about HIV/AIDS and
how they can prevent it. In everything that we do, Canada actively works with
developing countries themselves to make sure that we support their plans and
priorities for their own development.
Canada is quadrupling its annual funding for HIV/AIDS, and we are
supporting programs that address issues of prevention, as well as care,
treatment and support for people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. We
contribute significantly to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and
Malaria in developing countries. At the G8 Summit in Kananaskis, Prime
Minister Jean Chrétien announced Canadian funding to support the research and
development of an AIDS vaccine through the International AIDS Vaccine
Initiative and the African AIDS Vaccine Programme. Through our HIV/AIDS
programs, Canada is contributing to the global response to fight this
devastating pandemic.
Canada is a world leader in tuberculosis control. Our contributions
finance the cure of more than half a million people annually. CIDA was the
founding donor for the Global TB Drug Facility, which has succeeded in rapidly
reducing the cost of anti-TB drugs. Last Fall, the International Union Against
Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, the world's leading international association
against lung disease, awarded Canada a medal in recognition of our leadership
in TB control.
Canadian children get vaccinated early on, and grow up healthy and
strong. Children in developing countries are not always so lucky. More than
three million children die each year from vaccine-preventable diseases.
Immunization against vaccine-preventable disease is one of the most successful
and cost-effective public health interventions introduced in the last century.
Over the past decade, Canada has contributed millions to immunization programs
against polio, measles, diphtheria and tetanus. Canada is also a founding
member of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), a public-
private partnership that helps immunize children against such diseases as
meningitis and hepatitis B. Our continued support for immunization is
unwavering.
Vitamin A deficiency is a severe health problem in many countries
affecting very young children, leading to illness, blindness, and often death.
Costing just two cents each, two vitamin A capsules per year help protect a
child from these devastating consequences. Canada is the world's leading donor
of vitamin A supplements, which strengthen immunity and prevent childhood
blindness. UNICEF credits Canadian vitamin A with saving 1.5 million children
since 1998.
Thanks to Canadian support, scientists have discovered that the lives of
more than half a million children could be saved each year, simply by using
bednets coated with insecticide that prevent malaria-carrying mosquitoes from
biting during the night. Malaria is the leading cause of death in young
children and exerts its heaviest toll in Africa, where most of the more than
one million deaths from malaria world wide occur each year. Canada is
committed to the Roll Back Malaria campaign in Africa, and supports the
Special Program for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, which has
malaria as one of its top priorities. CIDA also contributes to the African
Medical and Research Foundation.
There are many fronts in the international battle against disease and
malnutrition. Canadians can be certain that their government is responding. It
is an important part of achieving the Millennium Development Goals - goals
that reflect the international community's commitment to reducing poverty
around the globe. We are saving lives, and we are making a difference in the
lives of millions of people around the world.

Susan Whelan, Minister for International Cooperation

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