Brazil and Uruguay launch cross-border health commission to boost regional cooperation

The Brazil–Uruguay Binational Health Commission has been reactivated to strengthen cross-border cooperation in public health, the Brazilian Ministry of Health has announced.

The initiative, which aligns with Brazil’s pro tempore presidency of Mercosur in the health sector, also supports the bloc’s efforts to promote innovation and boost local production. The relaunch was formalised during a bilateral meeting in Rivera between Brazil’s Health Minister, Alexandre Padilha, and his Uruguayan counterpart, Cristina Lustemberg.

Health Minister Padilha highlighted the political significance of the initiative: “This is also a political act in defence of science and against denialism. Every step forward in border health is a step towards development, generating knowledge, technology and income to improve people’s lives.” 

According to the report, a key priority under Brazil’s leadership in Mercosur is expanding vaccination coverage. In August, Brazil and Uruguay conducted a joint vaccination campaign for residents and migrants in the “Peace Border” region, between Sant’Ana do Livramento (Brazil) and Rivera (Uruguay).

The campaign offers all vaccines from both national immunisation schedules and aims to maintain Brazil’s measles-free status, among other goals. 

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