The 11th Congress of the Latin American Thorax Association (ALAT, for its initials in Spanish), held in Mexico City on 27-30 June, discussed regional approaches to lung health issues of greatest urgency in Latin America.
The 11th Congress of the Latin American Thorax Association (ALAT, for its initials in Spanish), held in Mexico City on 27-30 June, discussed regional approaches to lung health issues of greatest urgency in Latin America.
Addressing delegates via video message, The Union’s Executive Director José Luis Castro reiterated The Union’s commitment to Latin America and encouraged delegates to rally together in the lead-up to the United Nations High-Level Meetings on tuberculosis (TB) and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), to be held in New York on 26 and 27 September.
“TB and NCDS present an urgent challenge that the public health community cannot solve alone. Solving the challenge will take political commitment from the highest levels across all of Latin America.
“The High-Level Meetings at this year’s UN General Assembly are a historic opportunity to rally that commitment. And each of us has a stake in their outcome”, he said, inviting all those listening to partner with The Union to call for action at the highest levels.
The Union also participated in several other sessions during the three-day congress. Gustavo Soñora, Legal Advisor to The Union, spoke on legislation and TB in Latin America and human rights led approaches to health during a session titled ‘Towards Excellence on TB’. The Union also led a round table discussion on Sustainable Development Goal 3, which sets targets to ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages.