Health Canada Renewing TB Strategy

Health Canada Renewing TB Strategy

Thursday, July 22, 2010 at 13:52

 

 

A doctor with Health Canada says the department is moving ahead with efforts to combat Tuberculosis on reserve.

 

Doctor Paul Gully notes the Canadian TB strategy has been renewed while the First Nations Inuit Health Branch is looking at renewing theirs.

 

Back in June a federal report criticized Health Canada saying a new approach was needed to address the cases of Tuberculosis on First Nations.

 

Gully says the re-establishment of the two strategies shows the issue is being taken seriously.

 

He notes the problem also isn’t confined to the reserve level.

 

He acknowledges some citizens on reserve may be reluctant to get tested, however, due to past practices.

 

Gully says the importance of screening practices can’t be overstated as many TB cases are contracted when a person leaves the reserve, develops the condition in the city, and then returns.

 

Gully says issues like overcrowding on reserve are also long-term problems that won’t get solved overnight.