Whatever the community, wherever in the world, frequent and correct hand hygiene helps prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other diseases. However, across the globe and even in Canada, some communities and families might face challenges to assuring all members can prevent the spread of infections.

In Canada, vulnerable communities are more at risk of getting an infection and developing severe complications due to their health, social and economic circumstances. Especially in times of pandemics, cracks and holes in systems are magnified and more easily identified as gaps or barriers to infection prevention.

Communities understand best what their own highest priority and immediate needs are, and knowledge is best transferred in culturally appropriate and sensitive ways as defined by the end users and the community being served, so the Canadian Medical Foundation is working with partners in Canada to close some of those gaps that can lead to the spread of COVID-19.

• Oral Knowledge Transfer and COVID-19 Prevention - We are pleased to announce our partnership with the Alberta First Nations Information Governance Centre
• CMF Bursaries for Indigenous Medical Students - Indigenous peoples face significant barriers to postsecondary education. Achieving a medical degree is an even steeper climb due to a variety of factors, one of which is financial.
• Helping prevent infection of frontline healthcare workers - No decontamination kits to properly clean and disinfect reusable face shields are currently marketed in Canada.
• Distributing Critical Hygiene Products (Project Completed) - Vulnerable people and those living in remote communities may have trouble obtaining critical hygiene products.