About: World Chagas Disease Day

World Chagas Disease Day is observed on April 14 to raise awareness around Chagas disease. It was first celebrated on April 14, 2020, and was named after Carlos Ribeiro Justiniano Chagas, the Brazilian doctor who diagnosed the first case on April 14, 1909. World Chagas Disease Day was approved for creation on May 24, 2019, at the 72nd session of the World Health Assembly, and officially created at the WHA plenary on May 28, 2019. The proposal for a World Chagas Disease Day was instituted by the International Federation of Associations of People Affected by Chagas Disease, and was supported by several health institutions, universities, research centres, organizations and foundations. "An annual day celebrated at global level is bound to attract international attention," said Dr Pedro Albajar Viñas, WHO Medical Officer.