The Espiritu Santo University in Ecuador was the setting for the important event «Sindemia of the 21st Century», which was organized by the Infectious Diseases Society of Guayas and the university.
This event brought together experts from Education, Infectious Diseases, Psychology, Psychiatry and UNAIDS to discuss and develop strategies to combat sexually transmitted diseases and addictions. The main objective of these meetings was to elaborate a scientific document with prevention, promotion and assistance strategies, which will be delivered to the Ministry of Public Health.
The meeting was attended by important organizations and entities of the health sector such as the Red Cross, Fco. Icaza Hospital, Infectious Diseases Hospital, Kimirina, Obstetrics and Gynecology Society, Ecuadorian Psychiatry Association, JBG Neurosciences Institute, USEM and the Ministry of Public Health, as well as the UNAIDS Director for the Andean countries, Andrea Boccardi, who participated telematically from Peru.
During the event, technical meetings were held among the experts, which were divided into several discussion tables focused on the topics of Infectious Diseases, Mental Health, Education and Communication. In addition, there were welcoming remarks by the President of the Infectious Diseases Society of Guayas, Dr. Andres Diaz, and the Vice Chancellor of Espiritu Santo University, Ph.D. Eliana Molina.
One of the experts present, infectiologist and member of the Infectious Diseases Society of Guayas, Dr. Washington Alemán, highlighted the importance of holding an interdisciplinary and multisectoral event to address public health problems in a comprehensive manner. For her part, education expert and Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Dr. Lisbeth Perez, said «we must create communication strategies that reach all social groups, using emotional education tools to prevent and treat sexually transmitted diseases and addictions. It is also important to generate research in these areas and strengthen prevention education for the entire population».
The main objective of these meetings is to submit to the Ministry of Public Health a scientific document that prioritizes the three axes of prevention, promotion and assistance for the population affected by this syndemic.
The inter-institutional meeting was a valuable opportunity for experts in the field of health and education to discuss and develop strategies to combat sexually transmitted diseases and addictions. The preparation of the scientific document with the prioritized strategies to be submitted to the Ministry of Public Health is an important step in addressing the syndemic of the 21st century in a comprehensive manner.
