Thursday, November 21, 2024
11/21/2024
Fungal diseases pose a challenge for surveillance by National public health authorities They have a high impact on the population which is at risk of being affected by opportunistic endemic hospital or community acquired fungal infections and there are growing number of fungal pathogens displaying antimicrobial resistance This panorama has worsened with the rising threat of co infections such as COVID19 and other conditions that predispose patients and build the perfect scenario for developing fungal diseases In Colombia a National Reference Center that counts with a solid laboratory based surveillance a well organized National Laboratory Network and a reference laboratory play a central role in supporting the regional laboratories to identify report and alert outbreaks of fungal diseases Strengthening of surveillance programs allow in the long run public health benefits for those at risk for fungal disease infections and improved clinical outcomes reducing illness and deaths due to fungal diseases Efforts have been made in Colombia to conduct a laboratory based surveillance for some fungal diseases with an integrated approach however fungal awareness needs to be improved and increased in order to create awareness of the problem as well as programs for continuous education not only with the public health authorities but also for health professionals and patients Colombia is partioned into 33 territorial units known as departments Because the report of most mycosis is currently not mandatory only C auris cases and COVID19 associated mucormycosis are mandatory notifiable diseases the epidemiology and real impact of theses diseases in the Colombian populations is poorly understood Although there are public health laboratories in the main regions of the country they only monitor a small group of diseases and generate reports or refer the samples or isolates to the National Institute of Health This urge us to enhance the laboratory based surveillance of fungal diseases in Colombia through collaborative activities that will result in better surveillance and improved capacity to diagnose fungal diseases identify and respond to outbreaks target and train healthcare professionals and monitor the strategies implemented to improve surveillance
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
