The events included:

• Local patient group meeting: From local to global: Raising the patient voice in communities and worldwide
• Patient group workshop: Partnerships and collaboration: Working to raise the patient voice in Latin America
• Multi-stakeholder seminar: Building cross-sector partnerships to meet patients’ needs in Latin America

At these events, patients’ organizations had the opportunity to network with like-minded patient advocates and other key stakeholders in health. Participants identified a need for a unified patient voice, evidence-based activities, the sharing of models and resources, media activities, training, and recognition of the role of patients’ organizations throughout the healthcare sector.

Participants identified a range of potential follow-up activities as well as future actions, including:

• Undertaking research to develop a greater understanding of legislation across the region
• Developing a stronger communication network
• Sharing tools and resources for effective advocacy
• Increasing their organizations sustainability through sharing more effective strategies for fundraising

As a result of these meetings IAPO now has 14 members in the region. This means that their contribution to IAPO’s international work can be stronger.

What next?
There are a great number of opportunities in Latin America as a result of the meetings in Mexico City. For example, IAPO has begun to coordinate a steering committee of members from the region who will work together to develop an action plan based on the outcomes from Mexico City. Members have begun to research legislation in the region and collect data on laws that could affect patients in each country. IAPO has also investigated using blogs and forums to faciliate further communications between patients’ organizations in the region.

If you have any questions about IAPO's work in Latin America please contact rebecca@patientsorganizations.org.

Read more about IAPO’s work in Latin America