SUMMARY
The First Latin American Congress on Rare Diseases, led and organized by AHF and supported by partnering organizations, aimed to improve the rare disease landscape and the quality of life for those living with rare diseases, their families, and caregivers in the region. The Congress featured 45+ panelists from 12+ countries and discussed various topics related to rare diseases, such as the diagnostic odyssey, challenges in the patient journey, advancing genetic testing, health personnel training, health technology assessment, financing mechanisms, and digital health. Latin American countries face similar challenges in improving rare disease management and care, and the Congress emphasized the need for collaboration, coordination, education, and cooperation to continue advancing the rare disease landscape in the region. AHF invites collaboration and strategic projects to improve the quality of life for those living with rare diseases in Latin America and the Caribbean.