Editors’ Letter

Dear Friends,

As many of you know, over the past decades, we have strived to help
protect our communities from infectious diseases and promote their health. We started our activities at FUNCEI, in Argentina, and later created FIDEC to
expand to South Florida (United States), Latin America, and Armenia. In 2023, we are
celebrating FIDEC’s 22rd anniversary and, as part of the tradition, we invite
you to join the celebration of our main achievements over the last year.

FIDEC’s contributions to the global initiative to eradicate polio are having a wider impact. Financially supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, we have participated in polio research projects since 2012 and, based on the results of one of our recent studies, the World Health Organization’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization recommended in 2023 a flexible approach for outbreak response using the novel oral polio vaccine, codeveloped by experts and organizations from different countries, such as our NPO. To reaffirm our commitment, we will soon be starting a new study in Bangladesh.

Moreover, we keep providing first-class education to healthcare professionals and the community. As a novelty of the sixth edition of Stamboulian Talks, we organized the first hybrid Meet Up in Buenos Aires, where physicians, biochemists, pharmacists, and even students had the chance to listen and interact in-person with experts in infectious disease prevention and control. Also for the first time, we worked in partnership with Arcor Foundation in Argentina to offer a practical online course to promote hygiene and sanitation in spaces related to child education and care. Children and teenagers, but also their families, and adult risk groups were the main beneficiaries of a national campaign carried out by FUNCEI and its valued partner Rotary Club Argentina to encourage vaccination at every life stage.

Last but not least, we are proud to tell you about the positive impact of FIDEC’s programs to improve healthcare in Armenia. After a successful pilot phase, the Shirak Health Project continues offering free quality medical services in one of the poorest provinces in the country, and the activities have already extended to Jajur and Akhurik. In rural areas, with the support of Nadya Kaspar and the Ekserciyan family, and in partnership with Street Workout Armenia, we have also begun to install outdoor fitness stations to promote an active lifestyle while having fun and feeling happier.

We hope you also enjoy yourselves learning more about our work.

See you next year!