GUYANA has taken the lead in efforts to deepen health co-operation among Amazon countries, with malaria elimination, Indigenous Peoples’ health and stronger disease surveillance emerging as key areas for joint action.
Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony convened the meeting of health representatives from Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) member states on the sidelines of the 63rd Directing Council of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
The meeting was held under Guyana’s Pro Tempore Presidency of the Special Commission on Health in the Amazon (CESAM), which the country assumed on September 8.
Representatives from Guyana, Bolivia, Suriname and Venezuela attended in person, while Brazil participated virtually. Officials from PAHO and the Permanent Secretariat of ACTO also took part.
Dr Anthony said regional dialogue must result in practical measures with measurable outcomes for communities across the Amazon. The discussions identified malaria, hepatitis B and C, Indigenous Peoples’ health, intercultural health and epidemiological surveillance among the priority areas for co-operation.
MALARIA ELIMINATION TAKES CENTRE STAGE
Malaria emerged as a central issue, with participating countries examining ways to coordinate national programmes, share technical expertise and develop joint initiatives aimed at reducing transmission and ultimately eliminating the disease.
Suriname’s Director of Health, Dr Rakesh Gajadhar-Sukul, outlined his country’s experience in eliminating local malaria transmission, including community-based diagnosis, rapid response and timely treatment.
Suriname indicated that it is prepared to share those experiences and practices with other ACTO member states. ACTO is developing a proposal for a technical exchange, including the possibility of a workshop in Suriname with support from co-operation partners.
The emphasis on malaria co-operation also aligns with Guyana’s wider national disease-elimination efforts. The Ministry of Health has been expanding surveillance and local capacity in malaria-affected areas, including training microscopists and strengthening early detection and treatment.
FOCUS ON INDIGENOUS AND REMOTE COMMUNITIES
The meeting also examined the particular health challenges confronting Indigenous Peoples and communities located far from established health facilities.
Bolivia’s Minister of Health and Sports, Marcela Tatiana Flores Zambrana, highlighted difficulties in reaching remote populations and raised concerns about the health effects of mercury contamination associated with gold mining.
Brazil reaffirmed its commitment to co-operation on Indigenous health and infectious diseases, while Venezuela’s Vice Minister for Comprehensive Health, Dr Noly Coromoto Fernández Hernández, stressed the importance of culturally appropriate healthcare, traditional knowledge and community participation.
She also called for stronger regional surveillance and early-warning mechanisms for diseases, including malaria, dengue and onchocerciasis.
PAHO indicated its continued willingness to provide technical co-operation, including approaches that combine disease-elimination efforts with respect for the cultural practices and specific needs of Indigenous communities.
HEALTH DATA CO-OPERATION
The countries also discussed plans to develop a health module for the Amazon Regional Observatory (ARO), alongside the designation of national focal points to facilitate the exchange and interoperability of health information.
The initiative builds on work undertaken during Ecuador’s previous CESAM presidency. When Guyana assumed the presidency earlier this month, ACTO reported that the Commission had already established three permanent subcommissions dealing with digital health, environment and gender equity; priority and emerging diseases and intercultural health and traditional medicine.
The ACTO Permanent Secretariat said the priorities identified in Washington are consistent with efforts to strengthen CESAM and advance its regional health agenda.
Participants agreed that malaria should receive priority attention in the next phase of regional co-operation, while also supporting continued collaboration on hepatitis and exploring technical assistance and financing from multilateral organisations.
Guyana’s leadership of CESAM is therefore expected to focus on moving the agreed priorities from discussion to implementation, with the broader objective of strengthening health systems, disease prevention and access to care for populations across the Amazon.
