# Public health initiatives in Venezuela and Colombia > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/public-health-initiatives-in-venezuela-and-colombia > Updated: 2026-09-18T02:00:36.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2. Public health initiatives in Venezuela and the broader region have focused on both preventive education and the systematic elimination of infectious diseases. In Venezuela, early efforts included preventive campaigns in Biruaca to educate medical staff and patients on the health impacts of climate change and heatwaves associated with the ‘El Niño’ phenomenon. These initiatives emphasized hydration and sun exposure mitigation. Subsequent efforts expanded to include collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). In Venezuela, the Ministry of Health and PAHO began coordinating strategies to maintain progress against polio, measles, and rubella through enhanced vaccination and surveillance, particularly in remote areas. Similarly, in Bogotá, Colombia, local authorities and PAHO signed a declaration to eliminate six specific diseases, including tuberculosis, leprosy, and congenital syphilis, by 2030 through improved diagnosis and community participation. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-18: PAHO partners with Venezuela and Bogotá to combat infectious diseases Venezuela and Bogotá are partnering with the Pan American Health Organization to strengthen vaccination and surveillance efforts to eliminate infectious diseases like measles, polio, and tuberculosis by 2030. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/paho-partners-with-venezuela-and-bogot-to-combat-infectious-diseases ### 2026-09-09: Health prevention initiatives launched in Venezuela and Honduras Health and prevention initiatives were launched in Biruaca, Venezuela, to combat heatwaves, and in Talanga, Honduras, to provide medical care and hygiene education to police officers. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/health-prevention-initiatives-launched-in-venezuela-and-honduras --- Cite as: Public health initiatives in Venezuela and Colombia. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/public-health-initiatives-in-venezuela-and-colombia