The Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) and Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) hosted a panel discussion moderated by Univision’s Julio Cesar Ortiz on Chagas disease, a largely ignored infectious disease that kills thousands every year in Latin America. Since its discovery 100 years ago, very little has been done for the millions of people infected with Chagas, including an estimated 300,000 in the US.
Dr. Tom Ellman is Head of Mission for MSF in Bolivia, where MSF currently treats Chagas patients; Dr. Sheba Meymandi, Director, Center of Excellence for Chagas Disease, Olive View-UCLA Medical Center, treats patients at the only Chagas clinic in the US; Dr. Bernard Pecoul is Executive Director of DNDi, a nonprofit organization developing new drugs for Chagas. Each shared their expertise and views in a discussion, followed by audience Q&A.
In 2009, on the 100th anniversary of the discovery of Chagas disease, MSF and DNDi are working on several fronts to raise awareness about this neglected disease, to increase access to care for patients, and to address the urgent need for new treatments.
For more information on each organization’s Chagas campaign activities:
Visit the DNDi Chagas Campaign website
Visit the MSF Chagas Campaign website
Venue: The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage at Santa Monica College, 1310 11th St. Santa Monica, CA
This event is free, wheelchair accessible, and open to the public.
The event starts at 7:30 PM, but please join us for a pre-panel reception at the Broad Stage at 6:30 PM.
