Bahiana supports XXIV SPB Congress at Othon Palace

“Gathering together in Bahia so many specialists from Bahia, Brazil, Latin America and other parts of the world is an incomparable experience, first because great scholars from different areas of parasitic diseases are present”. Explains Dr. Artur Gomes Dias Lima, president of the XXIV Congress of the Brazilian Society of Parasitology (SPB) and professor at Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública, sponsor of the event, held together with the XXIII Latin American Congress of Parasitology, on October 27, at the Hotel Bahia Othon Palace, in Salvador.

The event culminated with the commemoration of 50 years of the Brazilian Society of Parasitology (SBP) and representatives of the Latin American Federation of Parasitology (FLAP), students and researchers in the field of health from across the country were present. The congress, which lasted until October 31, had around 1.200 participants and, in 102 conferences, the species of parasites in all segments were discussed, both epidemiological, causing mortality, as well as immunology and microbiology.

At the opening table of the ceremony, Dr. Artur Gomes Dias Lima, the president of the Brazilian Society of Parasitology (SBP) and the Latin American Federation of Parasitology, Dr. Alejandro O. Luquetti, the undersecretary of the Secretary of Health of the State of São Paulo, were present. Bahia, on the occasion representing Governor Ruy Costa, Dr. Roberto José da Silva Badaró, the executive coordinator of the Northeast Biotechnology Network and professor at Bahiana, Dr. Mitermayer Galvão dos Reis, the member of the World Federation of Parasitologist, Dr. Benjamin Cimerman, the Dean of Research at the State University of Bahia (UNEB), Dr. Atson Fernandes, the Dean of Research at Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública, Dr. Diego Menezes and the professor at the Instituto Federal Bahiano and secretary general of the Congress, Dr. Fred Julião.

During the opening program, the president of the congress declaimed a string with the theme Parasitology and a lecture was given by Dr. Mitermayer Galvão dos Reis on demographic and epidemiological transition associated with environmental and climate changes, in addition to explaining a little about infectious diseases and non-infectious.

According to Dr. Mitermayer Galvão, promoting events like these is fundamental for the development of parasitology. “It was a challenge to run an event of this size, especially with limited resources. It is very important to bring together researchers from other countries such as Belgium, Mexico, Venezuela and other Latin Americans, where we can exchange experiences and, considering, today, that many parasitic diseases circulate quickly in different countries, it is essential that we bring these colleagues together to take advantage of this opportunity with the aim of learning and establishing partnerships”, he explains.

“The congress is very important because it deals with parasitic diseases that are very common around the world, and people are unaware of it, most of the time. With this meeting of the best Brazilian and Latin American parasitologists, we hope to establish an excellent exchange of experiences”, reports Dr. Alejandro O. Luquetti.

“The opening of the event brought together several important names in parasitology and there is great interest from us, as Master's students, as there are diseases that are neglected and we see this relevance as it mainly affects the low-income community. We are always looking for innovations regarding these diseases that are emerging and re-emerging”, explains Livia Manuela, Master's student in Parasitic Biology at the Federal University of Sergipe.

Parasitology studies serious problems, affecting people and animals, regardless of social class. “Events of this size are important for the public's clarification and allow the exchange of experiences about diseases that are so frequent in the daily life of society”, reports Dr. Fred Julião. According to him, “there are serious problems, such as leishmaniasis, schistosomiasis, ascaris, and promoting an event like this allows, with its vastness of content, to clarify doubts and exchange knowledge”, he concludes.

Check out the photos.