The torch is lit and burning, thank you!
CMAJ 1998; 158:1013
Re: First the bad news . . ., CMAJ 1997;157[12]:1675-6 [full text]
In response to: E. Baris
It was not our intention to slight the efforts of Dr. Baris and his (few remaining) colleagues at IDRC who have a strong interest in the health sciences. Indeed, their accomplishments with dwindling resources should be applauded and their continued excellent work encouraged.
However, the description of the latest IDRC
reshuffle/renewal/
re-organization in no way explains the deplorable
situation in which Baris and his colleagues find
themselves.
- Federal funding for international development and research is at a 30-year low.
- The number of IDRC employees with a primary interest in health-related issues has dropped by 50% to 75% in recent years.
- Health-related problems of the developing world are certainly not going away.
- The global nature of health-related problems should be obvious to all through examples such as HIV, Hong Kong's avian influenza and the like.
Our "barb" was directed neither at Baris nor even at his counterparts at CIDA (although the latter could invest their funds more wisely by supporting projects like those outlined by Baris). Rather, it was aimed at the wrong-headed parsimony of the federal policy-makers who have set international aid at a shamefully low 0.31% of the gross national product,1 a level well below the mean for developed countries.
Our prime minister likes to trumpet Canada's recent recognition as the world's best place to live. How can a country that is among the least generous be the best?
Brian J. Ward, MD, CM
Associate Professor (Medicine)
J. Dick MacLean, MD
Associate Professor (Medicine)
Director
McGill University Centre
for Tropical Diseases
Montreal, Que.
Reference
- Tomlinson B. Canada. In: Randel J, German T, editors. The reality of aid 1997/98. An independent review of development cooperation. London: Earthscan Publications; 1997. p. 42-8.
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