3.1

Federal/provincial/territorial health authorities must work in partnership with the health authorities of Aboriginal peoples (defined as Status Indians both on and off reserve, Non-Status Indians, Metis, Inuit and Innu) as they take control of their health programs, in order to ensure that effective surveillance continues and communities have access to the resources they require to deliver tuberculosis control programs.

3.2

Federal/provincial/territorial health authorities must work in partnership with Aboriginal peoples both on and off reserves to develop a coordinated, cross-jurisdictional approach for managing tuberculosis among Canada's Aboriginal peoples.

3.3

While maintaining individual patient confidentiality, there must be cooperation between agencies that deal with tuberculosis and those dealing with HIV in order to better deal with the risks and issues of care and to gain a better epidemiologic understanding of co-infection.

3.4

Government and communities must recognize and work together to eliminate the social conditions that contribute to the incidence of tuberculosis.

3.5

A national strategy for the elimination of tuberculosis must incorporate recognized activities in tuberculosis control such as directly observed therapy. The costs of funding such initiatives must be supported at all levels of government.

3.6

Similarly, government must commit itself, in terms of policy and resources, to the maintenance of a centralized, ongoing surveillance system for tuberculosis.

3.7

There must be a centralized, dedicated source of funding for the management of community outbreaks. This funding must cover the hidden costs of managing tuberculosis outbreaks, such as those related to transportation, extra nursing time, laboratory and x-ray services.

3.8

Culturally sensitive materials relating to tuberculosis should be developed by and/or with and disseminated among Aboriginal peoples.

3.9

Culturally sensitive training and health education for community health workers must be ensured.

3.10

Because of high rates of tuberculosis among Aboriginal peoples, regionally appropriate screening guidelines must be developed, implemented and evaluated.