In a webinar organized by the Latin American Center for Perinatology, Women's and Reproductive Health (CLAP/WR) and the HIV, Hepatitis, Tuberculosis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Unit (HT/CDE) of PAHO, countries of the region shared their experiences with SIP Plus in monitoring and eliminating congenital syphilis.
Montevideo, 6 July 2022 (CLAP) – The first block of panelists included the participation of regional advisors from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Dr. Rubén Mayorga, Unit Chief of HIV, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Unit; Rodolfo Gómez Ponce de León, Regional Advisor on Sexual and Reproductive Health (CLAP/WR); and Leandro Soares Sereno, Regional Advisor for the prevention and Control of Viral Hepatites. The experts referred to the work that has been developed for years for the elimination of congenital syphilis and showed data that reflect the increase that has been recorded in mother-to-child transmission. In this regard, the importance of developing new strategies and strengthening actions in the programs for its eradication was pointed out.
Next, Luis Mainero, CLAP/WR IT specialist presented the operation and potential uses of the SIP Plus software for real-time monitoring as well as its possible linkage with other databases.
The third block was dedicated to present the experience of the countries in a panel discussion coordinated by Dr. Mariangela Freitas. Dr. Kelly Zevallos, from Peru; Dr. Cristina Cipolla, from Argentina, and Dr. Patricia Ovelar, from Paraguay, showed their experiences and Dr. Adesh Sirjusingh, from the Ministry of Health of Trinidad and Tobago, commented on the examples presented. The professionals agreed on the strengths of using SIP Plus for the analysis of indicators, as well as the need to improve the quality and recording of data.
Before concluding, PAHO advisor Sandra Jones announced a new virtual course on the elimination of congenital syphilis for primary care workers that will be available in August 2022 on PAHO's virtual campus.
In closing, the director of CLAP - WR, Dr. Suzanne Serruya thanked the panelists and the more than 200 attendees for their participation in the virtual seminar. She also expressed that it is not acceptable to have newborns with syphilis and that is why it is important to join efforts and use the available tools. Dr. Mayorga called on all countries to commit to the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of syphilis and highlighted SIP Plus as a fundamental tool in this process.
