Interventions to Bring Comprehensive Care to People with Chagas Disease: Experiences in Bolivia, Argentina and Colombia

Abstract

Chagas disease (CD) affects over six million people and is a leading cause of heart failure in the Americas. Few are able to access diagnosis and treatment for CD, resulting in a missed opportunity to prevent morbimortality. Integration of testing and treatment with the primary healthcare level is a key step in ensuring affected people receive timely antitrypansomal therapy, which increasing evidence shows can prevent chronic complications from the disease and halt congenital transmission. This article describes three collaborative projects focused on increasing access to testing and treatment for CD through primary healthcare facilities in Bolivia, Argentina, and Colombia.