(P378) Activist and scientific society engagement in advances in HTLV public policies in Brazil

Project: HTLV infection constitutes a public health problem but is still neglected. Estimates place Brazil with the highest number of infected people worldwide. Since 2019, the Brazilian Ministry of Health (BMoH) has been increasing the spaces that allow greater participation by representatives of the scientific society and HTLV activists to address HTLV public policies.

Issue: Describe BMoH activities since 2020, carried out in partnership with civil society, including people living with HTLV (PLHTLV) and the scientific community to advance HTLV care in Brazil.

Results: First, online meetings were held with civil and scientific society to define priorities within the BMoH planning. Between 2020-2022, the publication of the HLTV Clinical Guidelines stands out, with specialists' participation. These professionals also contributed to HTLV online training and helped with table flowcharts and scientific articles. Civil society played an important role in HTLV awareness among the general population and healthcare professionals, especially in social media campaigns. Regarding the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT), in 2021, BMoH issued a technical note about the need to guarantee cabergoline for pregnant women living with HTLV and milk formula for their children. In 2022, BMoH and UNESCO conducted a selection process for financial support of peer training projects, with a track including HTLV, and HTLVida (nongovernmental organization) was one of the institutions selected. On the HTLV National Day (March 23rd), a webinar was held with civil society, and the BMoH informed on public policies. The XV International Symposium on HTLV in Brazil, alluding to the HTLV World Day (November 10th), was organized in partnership between the government, activists, scientific society, and HTLV Channel. A total of 280 participants attended, providing discussions and opportunities to showcase innovations such as HTLV point-of-care tests developed by local universities, with possible financial support from BMoH.

Lessons Learned: Great advances have been made in HTLV care, but the continuous effort to strengthen the partnership between government, activists, and scientific society is crucial in Brazil. Thus, a workshop for PLHTLV care centers is planned for 2023. National research to determine HTLV prevalence in pregnant women and economic evaluation of HTLV-1 universal antenatal screening to prevent MTCT are in progress.