San Salvador, El Salvador, 16 July 2026 (PAHO) – The Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, met with the President of the Republic of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, during an official visit aimed at strengthening cooperation in strategic health areas and recognizing the country's significant achievements.
During the meeting, the PAHO Director presented President Bukele with the official communication from the World Health Organization (WHO) confirming the validation of the elimination of trachoma as a public health problem in El Salvador.
"The validation of the elimination of trachoma as a public health problem marks a historic milestone for El Salvador and for the Region of the Americas. This achievement demonstrates that, with leadership, political commitment, evidence-based decision-making and a strengthened health system, it is possible to eliminate diseases and transform people's lives," said Dr. Barbosa.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss strategic priorities for cooperation between PAHO and El Salvador, including implementation of the Disease Elimination Initiative, which aims to eliminate more than 30 diseases and related conditions in the Americas by 2030, as well as the Better Care for Noncommunicable Diseases Initiative, which seeks to strengthen the health system's response to noncommunicable diseases.
Dr. Barbosa commended El Salvador's leadership in approving a new National Plan to accelerate progress toward disease elimination targets and strengthen an integrated public health approach. He also recognized the country's advances in improving care for people living with noncommunicable diseases through Primary Health Care.
The PAHO Director further highlighted El Salvador's efforts to improve maternal, newborn and child health through initiatives led by the Office of the First Lady, including the Born with Love Law (Ley Nacer con Cariño) and the Growing Together Law (Ley Crecer Juntos).
The meeting also addressed other priority areas for cooperation, including digital health, integrated health service delivery networks, strengthening regulatory systems, research, and emergency preparedness and response. They also discussed the possibility of establishing WHO/PAHO Collaborating Centers in the country to leverage El Salvador's national expertise in health.
As part of his official visit, the PAHO Director also met with the First Lady of the Republic, Gabriela de Bukele; officials from the Ministry of Health; representatives of international organizations and development partners; and visited key institutions involved in research, health regulation, digital transformation and the strengthening of health services.
