How to implement the framework for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and Chagas (EMTCT Plus) in a disperse rural population from the Gran Chaco region: A tailor-made program focused on pregnant women

Additionally, each country implements this framework in a different manner and according to their own national administrative structure, which can even vary within each country in federal administrations. [...]available data from each country constitute global national figures that do not necessarily reflect regional variations. [...]this region is a hotspot for neglected tropical diseases [2], not only for intestinal helminth infections but also for ChD [3]. [...]a program for such an area needs to be designed bearing in mind the socioeconomic and environmental characteristics of the communities and centered on pregnant women and maternal-child health with a special focus on the opportunity of access to quality healthcare, the harmonization between the different levels of capacity of the health systems of the area, the concept of equity in access to health, and, ultimately, the strengthening of the healthcare capacities in the area in order to reach the proposed aims of EMTCT Plus (specific objectives are listed in Box 1). Since gender equality is a concept absolutely inherent to the context of the EMTCT Plus framework, the program needs to follow guidelines, norms, and practices related to sexual and reproductive health rights, women’s rights, and the health of their children. [...]centuries of isolation could explain the low demand of healthcare for this population and the consequent lack of basic health infrastructure.