The Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories will be joining more than 65 other monuments across Canada in being light up in red in honor of World Tuberculosis Day on March 24.
This effort to raise awareness of the world’s most deadly infectious disease is especially important this year, as countries around the world are cutting their global health budgets and tuberculosis rates are on the rise.
“As we’ve seen with recent outbreaks in Nunavik, Labrador, and Edmonton’s inner city, infectious diseases do not respect borders,” said Taryn Russell, executive director at Results Canada.
“The solution is to work together to protect our future, not turn a blind eye.”
G7 countries are planning on reducing their aid spending by 28% collectively, including over $2 billion in cuts from Canada. These cuts harm health programs worldwide and have disrupted efforts in tuberculosis prevention and treatment.
Tuberculosis remains one of the deadliest diseases in the world, claiming 1.25 million lives in 2023 alone. Results Canada urges that tuberculosis is a growing threat in Canada, especially among Indigenous and newcomer communities.
“Together, we can work towards a stable world free of TB, where every individual has access to the care and support they need to live a healthy life,” said Russell.
