Representatives from various countries in the region gathered for the first time after the COVID-19 pandemic in Medellin to review the collaborative work roadmap of the network.
Washington, D.C., August 3, 2023 - The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) held the biennial meeting of the Latin American and Caribbean Network for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance (ReLAVRA+) in Medellin, Colombia, from July 11 to 13, 2023. This was the first meeting after the Caribbean joined the network and had the participation of representatives from North, Central, South America, the Caribbean, technical partners, and WHO collaborating centers.
The main objective of this meeting was to strengthen collaboration and exchange of experiences regarding antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance and response, with an emphasis on the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent advances in this field with an interdisciplinary approach were also shared.
The event featured presentations from representatives of different countries, technical partners, and invited experts in antimicrobial resistance. Additionally, there were panel discussions in working groups that covered a wide range of technical and policy areas related to enhanced multidisciplinary AMR surveillance.
Presentations and exchange of experiences were guided by the collaborative network approach to enhance the quality and reliability of surveillance data. The importance of integration and innovation in data generation and equity to collectively achieve the objectives set by ReLAVRA+ were also highlighted. Information for action and evidence for decision-making were the themes of this first meeting.
The ReLAVRA+ initiative represents a joint effort between PAHO and its partners in the Americas to combat antimicrobial resistance.
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