Strategies to Combat Dengue Outbreak: COFESA Meeting with Health Ministers led by Mario Russo

2024-03-25 21:22:00
Health Ministers of the Argentine provinces met with Mario Russo to discuss strategies against the dengue outbreak Ministry of Health of the Nation

This Monday the first meeting of the Federal Health Council (COFESA) of the presidency of Javier Milei was held, with the Minister of Health of the Nation, Mario Russo, at the head. The objective of the meeting, in which the 24 holders of the provincial health portfolios were present, was to “analyze the main challenges of the health agenda and advance joint actions.” Likewise, as Infobae learned, one of the main axes of the conclave was the historic outbreak of dengue, which has already claimed the lives of 106 people and registered more than 151 thousand cases throughout the country.

“The idea is that this is an area of ​​debate and where we will present the axes that we believe are fundamental at this stage of Argentina and the health system,” Russo stated at the beginning of the meeting that took place at the Kirchner Cultural Center. At the same time, he highlighted: “We are absolutely open to listening to everyone and defining a priority agenda.”

As indicated by the national portfolio to Infobae, during the meeting “the current epidemiological situation of dengue was presented and the guidelines for the reorganization of health services in situations of outbreaks or epidemics were shared, intended for jurisdictional and municipal health authorities and responsible of health services with the aim of guaranteeing adequate and timely care for people who consult with symptoms compatible with dengue in times of outbreaks or epidemics, as well as reducing cases of severe dengue and deaths.

The COFESA meeting highlighted the commitment of the health authorities of all provinces in the fight against dengue (Illustrative image Infobae)

Likewise, the strategic role of the National Ministry of Health was highlighted and strategies were established to confront the epidemic. In that tone, both the national and provincial portfolios “agreed on the importance of strengthening prevention, for the elimination of mosquitoes in the territory, it is the first line of defense to stop dengue.”

“The work of local governments is the most important of all,” they highlighted from the Ministry led by Russo and highlighted the importance of promoting “local and territorial prevention for the elimination of the dengue mosquito,” which “is fundamental for this.” moment”.

With the aim of confronting this historic outbreak, they indicated that the Ministry of Health of the Nation assumes the “guiding role with a focus on data collection and evidence, and management by health results. Thus, provincial health policies must establish priorities according to the needs of their territories.” In this way, the health portfolio focuses on data collection and evidence, in addition to management by health results.

In the first COFESA held in the Milei era, the following were present: Nicolás Kreplak (Buenos Aires), Lucas Zampieri (Catamarca), Sergio Rodríguez (Chaco), Sergio Wisky (Chubut), Fernán Quirós (Autonomous City of Buenos Aires), Ricardo Pieckenstainer (Córdoba), Carlos Guillermo Grieve (Entre Ríos), Gustavo Bouhid (Jujuy), Mario Ruben Kohan (La Pampa), Juan Carlos Vergara (La Rioja), Rodolfo Montero (Mendoza), Héctor González (Misiones), Martín Regueiro ( Neuquén), Ana Senesi (Río Negro), Federico Mangione (Salta), Amilcar Miguel Dobladez Zunino (San Juan), Claudia Spagnuolo (San Luis), Ariel Omar Varela (Santa Cruz), Silvia Ciancio (Santa Fe), Natividad Nassif ( Santiago del Estero), Judith Jesica Rosana Di Giglio (Tierra del Fuego and South Atlantic Islands), and Luis Antonio Medina Ruiz (Tucumán).

According to the latest National Epidemiological Bulletin, there are already 106 deaths from dengue and more than 151 thousand cases have been registered throughout the country (Maximiliano Luna)

As Infobae learned from official sources, “the ministers agreed that the elimination of the mosquito in the territory is the first line of defense to stop dengue. That is why local and peridomiciliary work is key,” since this infection is “a disease that attacks in homes, in neighborhoods.” “The work of local governments is the most important of all,” they highlighted.

“The most effective strategy for eliminating mosquitoes continues to be strengthening actions to combat mosquitoes in the territory and municipalities play a central role in removing debris, fumigating and raising awareness among each of the neighbors,” the ministry indicated. sanitary.

Likewise, they indicated that one of the factors that impact the outbreak is “the increase in rainfall that is affecting the region”, a phenomenon that favors a greater proliferation of mosquitoes and an increase in cases of dengue, which is why According to what was warned by sources from the national health portfolio, emphasis will be placed on “local and territorial prevention for the elimination of the dengue mosquito.”

In parallel, “the National Ministry of Health is permanently monitoring the national epidemiological situation and surveillance, especially in the areas with the greatest circulation of the disease,” while, with the support of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO ), a Network of provincial Clinical References was launched.

The quadrivalent vaccine is currently in phase 4 of safety and adverse effects studies, they said from the national health portfolio (Illustrative image Infobae)

Regarding the quadrivalent vaccine against dengue, produced by the Takeda laboratory, which protects against the four serotypes of the virus and which was approved by ANMAT in April, official sources explained to Infobae that “studies on its safety and adverse effects continue.” since it is in phase 4.

Likewise, from the health portfolio they highlighted that the National Commission on Immunizations (CoNaIn) and PAHO “do not recommend its implementation in the national calendar”, since “no country in the world has it incorporated.” They even highlighted that “the mosquito is also a transmitter of other diseases”, which is why “The most effective strategy continues to be to combat the mosquito that moves around the home.”

In addition, “the Federal Network of References for the Care of People with Arboviral Diseases, launched together with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), was presented to the ministers in order to coordinate actions in an articulated manner and strengthen diagnosis and care. of these pathologies.”

At the first COFESA meeting, led by the national Ministry of Health, joint efforts were highlighted to confront the dengue epidemic, which has already affected more than one hundred and fifty thousand people in Argentina. Courtesy of the National Ministry of Health

Likewise, from the health portfolio they indicated that they were informed “about the beginning of the flu vaccination campaign, launched free of charge throughout the country with the aim of reducing complications, hospitalizations, sequelae and deaths caused by virus infection. influenza in the population at risk.

The work agenda also included the new implementation strategies of the National Quality Plan, which operates throughout the country through the Federal Quality Network, and a presentation on the status of the SUMAR Program. At the same time, Minister Russo “referred to the operation of the Directorate of Direct Assistance for Special Situations (DADSE) – recently transferred to the Ministry of Health – and emphasized that the continuity of this area of ​​the State is fundamental for management.”

Along these lines, he highlighted that “progress is being made with the delivery of medications for between 150 and 180 patients per week” and we will work hard to continue providing a response.”

From the national health portfolio, the chief of staff, Silvia Prieri, participated in the meeting; the Secretary of Quality in Health, Leonardo Busso; the Secretary of Access and Equity in Health, Andrés Scarsi; the Secretary of Administrative Management, Gustavo Panera; and the secretary of Comprehensive Drug Policies, Roberto Moro.

1711407266
#dengue #main #axis #details #meeting #countrys #Health #Ministers