International Strategies
As Canada is increasingly affected and challenged by health issues beyond its borders, Health Canada must be active internationally to help protect and enhance the health of Canadians.
Health Canada is also an active participant in a number of different international and regional fora. This ensures that Health Canada is aware of new policies and issues that may affect the health of Canadians, and also permits us to share information on Canadian health issues with the rest of the world. Health Canada is often asked to send representatives to sit on committees of international agencies.
Geographical, Regional and Bilateral Initiatives
Health Canada has a long history of involvement in supporting other governments in their efforts to strengthen their health systems. Developing bilateral relations is one of the main international activities of the Department, and these relationships provide a solid foundation upon which cooperative international partnerships may be built. Health Canada has formalized its bilateral relations with a number of Health Ministries in other countries through "Memoranda of Understanding" (MOUs) and "Memoranda of Agreement" (MOAs). These arrangements are designed to facilitate cooperation and to coordinate action within the Department. For instance, Canada has MOUs with Mexico, Cuba and China involving diverse health issues of interest to both countries.
Health Canada is also involved in helping to build capacity in other countries to address serious health issues such as communicable and non-communicable diseases, human health resource training and disease surveillance, and reporting mechanisms. Health Canada also provides technical advice on the design and development of projects.
Health Canada works in collaboration with Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and Member States in building and strengthening health care capacity in Latin American and Caribbean countries.
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