The Director of the Pan American Health Organization, Dr Jarbas Barbosa, met with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele in San Salvador on 16 July 2026 to strengthen cooperation in priority health areas and recognise the country’s recent public health achievements.
During the meeting, Dr Barbosa presented President Bukele with official confirmation from the World Health Organization validating El Salvador’s elimination of trachoma as a public health problem.
Dr Barbosa described the achievement as a historic milestone for El Salvador and the Region of the Americas. He said it demonstrated how political leadership, evidence-based decisions and a strong health system can help eliminate diseases and improve people’s lives.
The discussions focused on PAHO’s Disease Elimination Initiative, which aims to eliminate more than 30 diseases and related health conditions across the Americas by 2030. Both leaders also discussed the Better Care for Noncommunicable Diseases Initiative, which seeks to strengthen the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of chronic illnesses.
PAHO welcomed El Salvador’s approval of a new National Plan designed to accelerate disease elimination and strengthen an integrated public health approach. Dr Barbosa also recognised the country’s progress in improving care for people living with noncommunicable diseases through primary healthcare services.
The meeting highlighted efforts to improve maternal, newborn and child health through programmes led by the Office of the First Lady. These include the Born with Love Law and the Growing Together Law, which aim to strengthen healthcare and protection for mothers and children.
Other areas of cooperation included digital health, integrated healthcare networks, regulatory systems, scientific research and emergency preparedness and response. The leaders also discussed establishing WHO/PAHO Collaborating Centres in El Salvador to use the country’s national expertise to support regional health priorities.
During his official visit, Dr Barbosa also met with First Lady Gabriela de Bukele, Ministry of Health officials, international organisations and development partners. He visited institutions working in health research, regulation, digital transformation and healthcare service improvement.
The visit reinforced PAHO and El Salvador’s commitment to disease elimination, stronger health systems and improved access to quality healthcare for communities across the country.
