Guyana leads Amazon health cooperation talks on malaria elimination, Indigenous health

Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, convened a meeting of Amazon countries to advance regional cooperation on malaria elimination, Indigenous Peoples’ health and stronger disease surveillance.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 63rd Directing Council of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), under Guyana’s Pro Tempore Presidency of the Special Commission on Health in the Amazon (CESAM). Guyana assumed the presidency on September 8, 2026.

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

Opening the discussions, Dr. Anthony called for regional dialogue to translate into concrete actions with measurable results for Amazon communities. Participants identified malaria, hepatitis B and C, Indigenous Peoples’ health, intercultural health and epidemiological surveillance as priority areas for cooperation.

Sharing experience to advance malaria elimination

Malaria was a central focus of the meeting, with countries discussing opportunities to coordinate national strategies, share expertise and develop joint actions.

Suriname’s Director of Health, Dr. Rakesh Gajadhar-Sukul, shared the country’s experience in eliminating local malaria transmission through community-based diagnosis, rapid response and timely treatment. Suriname expressed its willingness to share these practices with other ACTO Member Countries.

ACTO is developing a proposal to support this exchange, including the possibility of a technical workshop in Suriname with assistance from cooperation partners.

Strengthening health services for Amazon communities

Bolivia’s Minister of Health and Sports, Marcela Tatiana Flores Zambrana, highlighted the difficulties faced by Indigenous populations and communities far from health services, alongside the health impacts 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. Noly Coromoto Fernández Hernández, emphasised the importance of culturally appropriate care, traditional knowledge and community participation. She also called for stronger joint surveillance and early warning mechanisms for malaria, dengue and onchocerciasis.

PAHO expressed its willingness to continue providing technical cooperation, linking disease elimination efforts with approaches that respect the cultures and needs of Indigenous communities.

Moving from priorities to implementation

Participants also discussed the development of a health module for the Amazon Regional Observatory and the identification of national focal points to support health data exchange and interoperability.

The ACTO Permanent Secretariat noted that the priorities align with ongoing 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 continuing cooperation on hepatitis and exploring technical support and financing opportunities with multilateral organisations.

Under Guyana’s leadership, CESAM will work to translate these shared priorities into practical regional actions that improve access to care, strengthen prevention and protect the health of Amazon communities.(MOH)