Mr. Speaker, Friday, March 24 was World Tuberculosis Day. The World Health Organization has declared tuberculosis to be a global emergency.
Tuberculosis is killing more people today than ever before. It knows no borders and no one is immune from being afflicted with TB. One-third of the world's population, that is 2 billion people, is estimated to be infected by tuberculosis. The yearly deaths attributed to TB are 2 million. It is greatest among young women and individuals with AIDS, Canada's aboriginal community, the homeless and others who have come into contact with TB through various ways.
TB can be controlled and prevented with the use of Directly Observed Treatment.
I call upon all of us to work with our international partners in health to support the DOTS program and make the prevention of TB a high priority on the public health agenda.