On Tuesday, May 15, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Global Network, and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), got together with close to 100 international NTD experts, members of Latin American civil society and private sector stakeholders to celebrate the work that has been done to address neglected infectious diseases (NIDs)* in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), and invigorate energy for the path that lies ahead.

The LAC region has had incredible success in the control and elimination of NIDs. This is no small part due to the region’s culture of prevention, which has lead to historical success in combating polio, measles and rubella.  LAC governments have also had major success in prioritizing immunization—to great economic benefit.  Where 15 years ago many countries could not afford immunization programs, the region now averages between 77 and 96% coverage of various vaccines.

Spirits were high as Honduran Ambassador to  the U.S.  Jorge Ramón Hernández Alcerro joined Dr. Neeraj Mistry, Managing Director of the Global Network for NTDs; Dr. Jon Andrus, Deputy Director of the PAHO; and Dr. Ferdinando Regalia, Social Protection and Health Division Chief at the IDB as a featured speaker. Continue reading →