This novel project is a partnership between Pure Earth and the Ministries of Health in Colombia, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Maharashtra, India, and Peru to strengthen each country’s national healthcare system to prevent, identify, and treat lead poisoning.
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About the Project
Today, 1 in 3 children – 800 million – have enough lead in their blood to cause permanent neurological, cognitive, and physical harm.
An estimated 292 million lead-poisoned children live in Colombia, India, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Maharashtra (India), and Peru.
Over the next 5 years, the ministries of health in these 5 countries and states will design and implement new national programs to identify, monitor and reduce lead exposure. By enhancing clinical education and guidelines, strengthening health surveillance technology, and educating teachers and parents on the dangers of lead, countries will be able to better protect children and future generations from lead poisoning.
Countries: Colombia, India (Maharashtra), Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, and Peru
Funder: Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (“Takeda”)
Partner(s): Vital Strategies
Duration: 2022–2027
Project Highlights
Global Project Launch Webinar – October 26, 2023
Pure Earth held the virtual global launch of Strengthening Health Systems to Reduce Lead Exposure during International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week 2023.
Program leaders in the five participating countries – Colombia, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Maharashtra, India, and Peru – discussed this collaboration with ministries of health to strengthen each country’s national healthcare system to better prevent, identify, and treat lead poisoning.
Thank you to our panelists, who included:
- Dr. Yi Lu, Director, Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, Vital Strategies
- Dr. Nitin Ambadekar, Additional Director of Health Services (RCH), State Family Welfare Bureau, Pune Maharashtra, India
- Lizeth Olaya, Country Director, Pure Earth Colombia
- Indira Zhakipova, Director, Ecois Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
- Budi Susilorini, Director, Pure Earth Indonesia Foundation
- Rodrigo Velarde, Country Director, Pure Earth Perú
The webinar was moderated by Alicia Ogawa, Pure Earth Board Member and included a brief video overview followed by a panel discussion, and audience Q&A.
Peru’s CDC joins forces with Pure Earth and Vital Strategies to strengthen surveillance of lead exposure in Peru – September 2023
The National Center for Epidemiology, Prevention and Disease Control (CDC Peru) of the Ministry of Health (Minsa) joins Pure Earth and Vital Strategies in a joint effort to strengthen epidemiological surveillance of lead exposure in Peru. By signing a “Memorandum of Understanding” on September 22 in Lima, these three entities seek to strengthen information systems, train health professionals, and generate evidence for public policies. This collaboration represents an important step towards preventing lead exposure in children and improving public health in Peru.