Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases

Results achieved as of the end of the project (February 2011) include: In Colombia over 2 100 health professionals health promoters and indigenous leaders received training in a tuberculosis control strategy promoted by the World Health Organization and the Pan American Health Organization called Directly Observed Treatment Strategy (DOTS); and 1 109 health professionals and indigenous leaders were trained in a systematic approach to children’s health that focuses on preventing as well as curing illness called “Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses ” (IMCI). In Ecuador 8 300 professionals were trained in clinical community and neonatal IMCI; the IMCI strategy was implemented in 2 000 health establishments; 4 211 health professionals health promoters professors students and community members also received education and training to help prevent Chagas disease a potentially life-threatening illness caused by a parasite and spread by insects. In Paraguay information on Chagas disease and dengue an infectious tropical disease caused by a virus was incorporated in science curriculum in schools; and over 800 health professionals were trained in prevention and care for sexually transmitted infections. The project contributed to passing a law that ensured that all pregnant women and their partners received free testing and treatment for syphilis. This law helped to improve capacity to diagnose syphilis among pregnant women by 87% and the capacity to treat syphilis by 82%. In Peru an agreement was signed by the Ministry of Health the Pan American Health Organization and mayors of 25 districts in three departments to include funding for Chagas in their municipal development plans for health promotion and disease prevention and control activities; and 911 people (681 women and 230 men) participated in training to help them integrate gender equality in health activities.