The Pan American Health Organisation and World Bank launched the PROTECT Project in July 2024 at an event attended virtually by representatives of the Ministries of Health, Agriculture, and Environment from seven participating countries and the Pan American Foot and Mouth Disease and Veterinary Public Health Centre (PANAFTOSA). The PROTECT Project is an initiative to improve pandemic response by optimising surveillance and laboratory systems in border regions of Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Uruguay. It is funded by a grant of almost US$17 million from The Pandemic Fund.
PROTECT
The World Bank states that the “overarching goal” of the PROTECT Project is to “enhance the capacity, preparedness, and commitment of the participating countries for early detection and response” to future pandemics. This requires “inter-sectoral and multi-level stakeholder coordination and cooperation”. The funding contributes to the following activities:
- Enhancing integrated early warning disease surveillance systems for zoonotic pathogens
- Increasing the efficiency of laboratory systems to detect pathogens of epidemic potential
- Strengthening coordination among sectors, countries, and across the region for pandemic preparedness and response efforts
A crucial step
PAHO Director Dr Jarbas Barbosa described the project as a “crucial step towards more robust preparedness”.
“By strengthening capacity to detect pathogens with epidemic potential and implementing surveillance and early warning systems for emerging and re-emerging diseases, we will be protecting vulnerable communities in border areas and reducing the impact of future pandemics in the Americas.”
Dr Jaime Saavedra, Human Development Director for Latin America and the Caribbean at the World Bank, welcomed the collaboration.
“At the World Bank, we are committed to offering our experience, knowledge, and support to strengthen the One Health approach in Latin America and the Caribbean, and to prevent pandemics like COVID-19 from taking us by surprise again.”
Dr Saavedra urged “political commitment from governments” and “better coordination between all sectors” to “save lives together”. Priya Basu, Executive Head of the Pandemic Fund, suggested that the project marks a “major milestone” in “collective efforts to promote global health security”.
“The investments focus on building integrated early warning and surveillance systems for zoonotic diseases, laboratories, and a fit for purpose workforce, through a One Health approach. Furthermore, the project is galvanising cooperation and coordination among sectors, partners, and countries. I want to thank our partners for their commitment, and I look forward to the results.”
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