2024-09-04 07:06:41
In the past, investing in health and having a positive impact on the population and the economies of Latin America is important to guarantee the well-being of the population and promote the economic development of the countries in the region, said the President of Human Health , MSD Latin America, Sarah Aiosa.
Photo taken on August 30, 2024 of the Director of Human Health, MSD Latin America, Sarah Aiosa, who spoke during an interview with EFE within the framework of the 21st Latin American Seminar on Journalism in Science and Health, in Mexico City ( Mexico). EFE. Jose Mendez
“See health as an investment and not an expense (…) the best way is with data and facts, to show the great impact that diseases can have on health systems if they are not treated in time and that, if we have more advances early on in the patient’s way, the effect can be prevented and reduced,” expert Sara Aiosa told EFE during the season Latin American Conference on Journalism in Science and Health held in Mexico City.
The committee explained that, although issues such as investment in health policies and the importance of human well-being were put on the agenda after the Covid-19 pandemic, efforts are still insufficient.
For example, he explained, governments in Latin America continue to see health as an expense and not an investment, although it has been shown that the prevention of diseases is less expensive than their treatment.
“In our region there are many countries that unfortunately do not invest the budget as recommended by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD),” he said.
Although the OECD suggests that investment in health is at least 6% of the gross domestic product (GDP) of countries, in Latin America countries do not reach that amount because the average investment is 3.5%.
“We know that the health of the population is closely related to the health of the economy, because a healthy population can contribute more to the workforce, reduce absenteeism and can contribute more, strengthen and strengthen the economy ,” he said.
Therefore, it indicates that a healthy population is a productive population.
Strengthen public-private partnerships
Sarah Aiosa also highlighted the importance of strengthening public-private collaboration, especially in an area where, in a few years, the population will begin to grow and demand health services.
“Therefore, it will require all health sectors working hand in hand with governments and civil society,” he explained.
He pointed out that, for example, if we can invest in vaccination, we can eliminate cervical cancer, or prevent chronic diseases that, in the long run, become a major expense for the health sector.
In particular, he commented, there needs to be legal and regulatory conditions that are unified in the region so that drugs and vaccines move between Latin American countries with great power, because this is one of the lessons that left behind by the pandemic.
“I think there are many lessons from the pandemic, one is the importance of having resilient supply chains and closeness to the countries of the region (…) there we have learned that we don’t have alone as a home- a job, as focused and based on production in places far from our countries,” he emphasized.
Education to residents on health issues
Also, he argues, educating the public with simple and clear language on health issues is key; total equity in access to innovations and medicines.
“(We must) work to treat chronic diseases (…) to ensure equity and access for the majority of the population and not limit access to various groups,” he added.
Finally, it is shown that it is important to strengthen digital patient systems, have access to reliable data in addition to collaborating in strategic processes and together between communities and the private sector to improve investment in health.
MSD’s American company is currently focused on innovation, development and clinical trials in areas such as oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, cardiometabolic disorders, immunology and neuroscience.
EFE was supported by MSD for the preparation of this document.
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