Background of this search:

The Social Sector (SCL) is a multidisciplinary team convinced that investing in people is the way to improve lives and overcome the development challenges in Latin America and the Caribbean. Jointly with the countries in the region, the Social Sector formulates public policy solutions to reduce poverty and improve the delivery of education, work, social protection, and health services. The objective is to advance a more productive region, with equal opportunities for men and women, and greater inclusion of the most vulnerable groups.

The Social Protection and Health Division (SPH) is tasked with the preparation and supervision of IDB operations in borrowing member countries in the areas of social protection (safety nets and transfers and services for social inclusion which include: early childhood development, youth programs, care services for dependency, among others), health (health capital investment strategies, health networks strengthening, health system financing, organization and performance, etc.) and nutrition.

Malaria control and elimination throughout Mesoamerica have been generally successful in reducing the incidence of malaria mortality and morbidity in the last two decades, with a decline of more than 90% in cases to the efforts of the national governments accompanied mainly by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Global Fund (GF)and others. However, the entire region is not currently on a path to reach its declared goal of regional elimination.

RMEI has been established based on efforts and results achieved by countries with PAHO support to date. The IDB, through the RMEI-Coordination Unit (CU), will work technically in close coordination and collaboration with PAHO, the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), the GF, Consejo de Ministros de Salud de Centroamerica y Republica Dominicana (COMISCA) and Proyecto Mesoamerica (PM). The RMEI initiative will be financed through the Malaria Elimination Mechanism (MEF) administered by the IDB to cover outstanding financial and operational gaps to implement technical interventions already reflected in regional and national plans in Central America and the Dominican Republic to accelerate progress towards the elimination of malaria.

RMEI has considered the recommendations and commitments made by the Ministers of Health in the 55th Directing Council of PAHO, including the adoption of a plan to eliminate malaria in 2020. By adopting this plan, the region commits itself to intensify efforts to eliminate the disease, especially through intensified efforts focusing on vulnerable populations and occupational groups. The Initiative will also build on the master plans prepared under the Project Mesoamerica Project and on the national phase-out plans of each country.