IMPACT SALUD, Advisory Board & Annual Meeting in Lima

In June 2024, the IMPACT Salud project held its annual meeting and Advisory Board sessions in Lima, Peru. Over the course of five days, the project’s core team, researchers, and health experts from different countries gathered to review progress, plan next steps, and strengthen relationships with key stakeholders. This milestone event marked a critical point in the project’s journey toward improving dementia care and public health in Latin America.

The event kicked off with a team-building batucada session and a cocktail reception at the Universidad Cayetano Heredia campus. In the following days, internal work sessions were held, where each of the project’s work packages (WPs) and the technological design team presented their advancements. The team also conducted a comprehensive SWOT analysis to identify challenges and opportunities, followed by a review of the project’s communication strategies to enhance collaboration.

The Advisory Board sessions provided an external perspective, emphasizing the need to address the unmet needs of dementia patients and their caregivers. The Board also highlighted the importance of scaling the project and learning from other Latin American initiatives. Their feedback reinforced the project’s clear vision for the future, focusing on strengthening internal communication and partnerships with both local and international stakeholders.

Stakeholder engagement was a key theme throughout the week, with several public sessions on dementia care involving healthcare workers, policymakers, and caregivers. Training sessions led by the Peruvian Ministry of Health (MINSA) and other institutions, such as the Global Brain Health Institute, provided essential knowledge and helped deepen ties between IMPACT Salud and the wider public health community. 

One of the highlights of the week was a visit to Iquitos in the Amazon region, where a smaller group of team members and Advisory Board representatives met with local healthcare officials. The trip offered valuable insights into the unique challenges faced in remote areas, further refining the project’s approach to dementia care in underserved regions.

The meeting successfully achieved its goals, reinvigorating the team’s efforts and solidifying relationships with key stakeholders. With renewed momentum, IMPACT Salud is well-positioned to continue its mission of improving dementia care and public health outcomes in Latin America.