Collaboration is a vital step in improving the lives of people living with axSpA. ASIF and The Pan American Network of Associations of Rheumatic Patients (ASOPAN) held a joint Latin American Regional meeting the day before the ASIF Council Meeting began in Bogotá. This meeting was the first of its kind and resulted in representatives from Patient Organisations in Brazil, Chile, Panama, Mexico, and Colombia sharing experiences and discussing the needs of their members.

ASOPAN (The Pan American Network of Associations of Rheumatic Patients) is a network of patient organisations throughout Latin America supporting patients with RMDs.  Of their members, few specialise in axSpA and many have limited knowledge of the disease.  One objective of this meeting was to explore how ASOPAN and ASIF could work together.  After a stimulating day of discussions and learning, it was agreed that ASOPAN would create a working group on axSpA and ASIF would assist in the development of a workplan to educate patient organisations in the region on axSpA.  This would both enable them to better support people living with axSpA and raise awareness of the disease across the continent.

ASIF and ASOPAN signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which will underscore our future work together. Both foundations, along with the patient organisations are committed to using this partnership to improve the lives of people living with axSpA across Latin America.

A report on this meeting will be available soon.