(March 24, 2021– Iqaluit, Nunavut) Today on World TB Day, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) is pleased to share next steps toward TB elimination in Nunavut.
A year ago, the Nunavut Tuberculosis Elimination Action Plan, 2020-2023 was unanimously approved by the NTI Board of Directors. Efforts to secure endorsement of the Action Plan by the Government of Nunavut (GN) were hampered by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and activities planned for 2020 were postponed to comply with public health restrictions.
“The TB Elimination Action Plan will guide us as we move forward in the path of healthier communities. The collective efforts we take will affect our communities in ways that reduce preventable diseases like TB and COVID-19.” said Kotierk
NTI has continued to seek endorsement of the Action Plan by the GN and has resumed working with other key partners on this initiative. Progress to date includes increasing capacity within NTI to coordinate TB Action Plan implementation and establishing the Nunavut TB Elimination Advisory Committee. The initial focus of the Committee will be ensuring the TB Action Plan aligns with and supports Nunavut’s Path for moving forward during COVID-19 and leverages new federal investments in social and economic infrastructure.
The conditions and determinants of health that contribute to high rates of TB in Inuit communities are the same ones that increase the risk of COVID-19. These include overcrowded and poorly ventilated housing, inadequate access to nutritious food, fragile health systems, barriers to health care and high rates of other respiratory illnesses. NTI will continue to advocate on behalf of Inuit to ensure the Government of Canada acknowledges Nunavut’s ongoing vulnerability to TB and responds by investing additional funds in Inuit-led efforts to eliminate TB.
For further information:
Karen Flaherty
Assistant Director of Communications
Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated
Tel: (867) 975-4900/Toll-free: 1-888-646-0006
