Carlos Slim Foundation presents Mexican and Latin American Achievements in Health

MEXICO CITY, June 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Carlos Slim Foundation celebrated its annual "Awards in Health" ceremony at the Museo Soumaya on Wednesday. Dr. Mercedes Juan Lopez, Secretary of Health for Mexico, Dr. Jose Antonio Gonzalez Anaya, CEO of the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) and Dr. Jose Narro Robles, Dean of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), joined individuals from the Foundation including Mr. Carlos Slim Helu, Founder, Mr. Marco Antonio Slim Domit, President, and Dr. Roberto Tapia Conyer, Executive Director.

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The event highlighted the Foundation's diverse core health programs and important strides made during their years of operation. Marco Antonio Slim Domit stated that, "the importance of the foundation's work is found in the benefit that is reflected by people's health, and by discovering and implementing new and better solutions to social problems."

The following programs of the Foundation have made some of the most notable achievements:

CASALUD: In partnership with the Ministry of Health, 11,887 public health facilities have been renovated to improve the quality of care for chronic illnesses and 389,581 individuals have benefited from proactive preventive healthcare. An innovative Information System for Chronic Illnesses also facilitates follow-up care for nearly 1.5 million people.

AMANECE: Through this program, more than 44,500 pregnant women receive medical attention from 40 healthcare networks in 15 Mexican states to guarantee timely, quality maternal and infant care.

SLIM INITIATIVE IN GENOMIC MEDICINE: Recent research has determined that out of 56 genes, two are determinants for the alarmingly increasing number of diabetics in Mexico.  Now, through the development of genetic risk exams, the contraction of diabetes by millions of people will be delayed or prevented. New genes responsible for causing various forms of cancer have also been identified, such as those found in breast cancer among Mexican and Latin American women.

RENAL HEALTH AND TRANSPLANTS: The "Heroes for Life" ("Heroes por la vida") campaign, which has seen the participation of prominent recording artists, athletes, and public figures, promotes philanthropic organ donation. To date, nearly 8,200 people have received transplants thanks to "Heroes for Life."

VACCINES: The design of the first Electronic Vaccine Vault (CEV) system in Latin America has propelled the modernization of the Universal Vaccine Program in Mexico.

Elizabeth Holmes, founder and CEO of Theranos and one of the greatest icons of social entrepreneurship in recent years, also participated in the awards ceremony and discussed how to bring people closer to their own health by means of innovative technology and tools.

Dr. Roberto Tapia Conyer presented the two 2015 Carlos Slim Awards in Health for Research Development and Exceptional Institution.  Dr. Ana Flisser Steinbruch, researcher for the UNAM, received the award in Research Development for her work and contributions in cysticercosis. The Foundation for the Center of Infectious Diseases (FUNCEI) in Argentina, founded and directed by Dr. Daniel Stamboulian, was given the award of Exceptional Institution for its multidisciplinary team's work in developing an integral model that improves the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of infections.

Dr. Jose Narro Robles and Dr. Mercedes Juan concluded the ceremony by recognizing the foundation for its tireless work and innovative spirit.

About the Carlos Slim Foundation

Created in 1986 to impact the most vulnerable populations, the Carlos Slim Foundation has directly benefited millions of people. With a marked sense of social responsibility, efficiency, and proven results, the Foundation operates programs in the areas of education, employment, health, nutrition, social justice, culture, human development, natural disaster relief, protection and conservation of the environment and economic development. These programs help improve the quality of life for populations of all ages, fostering the development of human capital and generating opportunities for people, their communities and their countries.

SOURCE Carlos Slim Foundation