Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony has chaired a meeting of Amazon countries on regional cooperation in malaria elimination, Indigenous Peoples’ health and disease surveillance.

According to a press release, the meeting was held on September 30 on the sidelines of the Pan American Health Organization’s (PAHO) 63rd Directing Council in Washington, D.C.

Guyana convened the discussions under its Pro Tempore Presidency of the Special Commission on Health in the Amazon (CESAM), which it assumed on September 8.

Representatives of Guyana, Bolivia, Suriname and Venezuela attended in person, while Brazil participated virtually. PAHO and the Permanent Secretariat of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) also took part.

Anthony called for regional discussions to produce concrete actions and measurable results for Amazon communities. Participants identified malaria, hepatitis B and C, Indigenous Peoples’ health, culturally appropriate care and epidemiological surveillance as priorities.

Malaria was a central focus, with countries discussing coordination of national strategies, exchanges of expertise and joint action.

Suriname’s Director of Health, Dr Rakesh Gajadhar-Sukul, outlined the country’s experience in eliminating local malaria transmission through community-based diagnosis, rapid response and timely treatment.

Suriname offered to share its practices with other ACTO member countries. The organisation is developing a proposal to facilitate the exchange, including a possible technical workshop in Suriname with support from cooperation partners.

Bolivia’s Minister of Health and Sports, Marcela Tatiana Flores Zambrana, highlighted the difficulties facing Indigenous populations and communities far from health services. She also raised the health effects of mercury contamination associated with gold mining.

Brazil reaffirmed its commitment to cooperation on Indigenous health and infectious diseases.

Venezuela’s Vice Minister for Comprehensive Health, Dr NolyCoromoto Fernández Hernández, emphasised culturally appropriate care, traditional knowledge and community participation. She also called for stronger joint surveillance and early warning systems for malaria, dengue and onchocerciasis.

PAHO indicated its willingness to continue providing technical assistance, linking disease elimination with approaches that respect Indigenous communities’ cultures and needs.

Participants also discussed developing a health module for the Amazon Regional Observatory and identifying national focal points to support the exchange of health data and interoperability between systems.

The ACTO Permanent Secretariat said the priorities were consistent with efforts to strengthen CESAM. The commission’s guidelines have been approved, while its General Work Plan remains under discussion.

At the close of the meeting, participants identified malaria as a priority for closer regional coordination. They also proposed continued cooperation on hepatitis and exploring technical assistance and financing from multilateral organisations.