Health Minister Takes Stock of Canada's Pandemic Plans

We learned several valuable lessons from SARS. First, I learned that planning ahead of time is important. Second, that we need to coordinate across sectors and among governments if we are to maintain confidence. Third, we need to demonstrate leadership before a pandemic arrives and that's what we are doing today at the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).

Through PHAC, we are providing federal leadership to promote health, investigate and control disease outbreaks, support public health infrastructure and foster a collaborative approach with the provinces and territories. New surveillance systems and networks have been established and enhanced, including the Global Public Health Intelligence Network (GPHIN), an Internet-based early warning system that gathers and disseminates preliminary reports of public health significance throughout the world in seven languages, seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Internationally, we have established linkages and communications networks, through the World Health Organization and in such fora as the Global Health Security Action Group, the Global Health Security Initiatives and the Security and Prosperity Partnership.

The result is that Canada is much more prepared today to respond to a public health emergency. But there is more work to be done and we will continue to work with our partners to enhance our readiness.

The Canadian government is committed to preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS, finding a cure, and helping people living with HIV/AIDS. In Canada, our approach focuses on the underlying heath and social issues that put people at risk of HIV and other health problems. The Federal Initiative to Address HIV/AIDS in Canada is carried out in partnership with all levels of government, non-governmental and community organizations, health professionals and researchers. The Initiative will help to strengthen surveillance, research and community response; raise public awareness of the seriousness of this disease; and ensure that those living with or affected by HIV and AIDS receive the support that they require. The government is also providing over $4 million to support the XVI International AIDS Conference, which is taking place in Toronto, Ontario Aug 13-18, 2006.

The government of Canada recognizes that the global HIV/AIDS epidemic is one of the greatest challenges facing the world. Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) remain committed to reducing the spread of HIV and to mitigating the impact of the disease.

Health Canada, in partnership with PHAC, is responsible for coordinating the Global Engagement Component of the Federal Initiative to Address HIV/AIDS in Canada, to establish a strong and coherent health sector response as Canada fulfils its international commitments and contributes to global efforts to address HIV/AIDS.

To support these priorities, Health Canada manages the HIV/AIDS Global Engagement Grants Programme. It funds activities that increase Canada's contribution to the body of expertise that forms the global response to HIV/AIDS. It also funds activities that promote learning between the domestic and global responses.

These priorities also reflect the importance of sharing ideas and knowledge on HIV/AIDS-related policies, practices and research. As the lead agency for Canadian government's involvement in the upcoming AIDS Conference in Toronto, Health Canada coordinates the Federal AIDS2006 Secretariat. This is the interdepartmental committee comprised of close to 15 federal departments and agencies. Health Canada has made a contribution of $1.5 million to the core costs of the event, including the Scholarship Programme for Canadian Residents. PHAC is also very involved in the Conference and has made a contribution of over $1,000,000.

In addition, Health Canada and PHAC work closely with our colleagues at the Canadian International Development Agency and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade who are also dedicated to the global fight against HIV/AIDS.

The government is committed to improving access to less expensive medicines that are urgently needed to treat HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and other diseases in developing and least-developed countries.

We have to have goals that we can work towards otherwise we don't have a common vision and direction for our work. We believe in the goals that have been set and we support these initiatives, recognizing at the same time that success depends on many factors. Canada has taken a number of steps to fulfill our G8 commitment to combat infectious diseases in developing countries. We've demonstrated our commitment through contributions to initiatives like the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria, the Roll Back Malaria Campaign and the Global TB Drug Facility.

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