Colombia has become the first country in the Western Hemisphere to eliminate onchocerciasis (also known as river blindness) within its national borders, according to an announcement made by Colombian health authorities at the 21st Inter-American Conference on Onchocerciasis in Bogotá last week.
 

Experts working to expand the availability of HIV/AIDS treatment in Latin America and the Caribbean say that improvements are needed in the ways antiretroviral and other AIDS medicines are prescribed, monitored and managed to ensure they are widely and consistently available and that they retain their effectiveness against HIV-related illness.

Latin America and the Caribbean have higher levels of antiretroviral treatment (ART) coverage than any other developing region, with 50 percent of people who need treatment receiving it, according to data from 2009.

Three organizations from Honduras, Brazil and Nicaragua were honored this week as Malaria Champions of the Americas for their successful efforts to reduce deaths and illnesses from this disease. The winners were presented during an event marking the 5th annual Malaria Day in the Americas, held at the headquarters of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO).