Dear Editor:
Canada’s contribution to the world can be more than health innovations.
Canada has always been a leader in global health – from the discovery of insulin to ground-breaking HIV treatments, the development of an Ebola vaccine, and the recent support for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance on May 12, and CEPI, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations. These breakthroughs weren’t just for Canada – they were contributions to the world.
But more than just health, we’ve also seen the economic impact of the pandemic in many countries, the poorest ones are hit the worst. The world needs a global response to not only protect the most vulnerable and support those worst affected economically but also to strengthen global health systems so that we are better prepared for when another global health crisis hits. I believe it is our responsibility to contribute to the global effort.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that for the world economy, including our economy, to recover from the COVID-19 crisis, we need a global, coordinated plan. I hope PM Trudeau and Minister Gould follow through and invest in basic global health care. COVID-19 shows us how connected we all are. We need to act now to end COVID here and everywhere.
Terry Gray,
Puslinch