Nicaraguan former Minister of Health Adán Cajina Ríos recounts his work along with the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) in the 1970s to prepare a national health plan giving priority to primary health care and community participation.

He also speaks of the efforts to reduce malaria and improve maternal/child care, child nutrition, vector control, and water treatment, especially in the period after the 1972 earthquake. President of the 25th Directing Council of PAHO, Cajina also notes that health is a challenge for all generations, and believes that as long as there is poverty there will be preventive health programs. Finally, he recommends that future generations focus on forest and water management.