Honoring and Remembering Dr. María del Rocío Sáenz Madrigal

On behalf of the World Federation of Public Health Associations, we come together to honor and remember María del Rocío Sáenz Madrigal, an extraordinary physician, public health leader, educator, and steadfast advocate for equity whose life and work have left an indelible mark on Costa Rica, Latin America, and the global public health community.

Born on May 2, 1958, and passing away on March 15, 2026, in Puriscal, Costa Rica, Rocío dedicated her life to serving others. She trained as a medical doctor at the Universidad La Salle in Mexico and furthered her expertise with a Master’s in Public Health from the University of Costa Rica. From her earliest days assisting patients with chronic conditions, and serving as medical director of a refugee camp for Nicaraguans, director of Health Development for the Ministry of Public Health of Costa Rica, and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)’s Regional Advisor for the Central America Post-Mitch Program, she demonstrated a profound commitment to the most vulnerable, ensuring that health was not an abstract ideal, but a lived reality for all.

Her leadership shaped national systems and inspired international collaboration. As Minister of Health of Costa Rica from 2002 to 2006, and later as Executive President of the Costa Rican Social Security Fund from 2014 to 2017, Rocío guided transformative efforts grounded in equity, access, and human dignity. Her influence extended far beyond national borders through her work with PAHO, her role in health emergency response, and her leadership as director of the Health Equity Network of the Americas / Red de las Américas para la Equidad en Salud (HENA/RAES), based at the University of Costa Rica.

Rocío was also a devoted academic and mentor. As Professor of Health Promotion at the University of Costa Rica, she nurtured generations of public health professionals, led critical research initiatives, and advanced dialogue on primary health care, women’s health, and patient-centered systems. Her contributions, reflected in dozens of technical and scientific publications, continue to inform and inspire.

For the World Federation of Public Health Associations, Rocío was more than a collaborator. She was a trusted partner, an active contributor, and a guiding force. Through her engagement with our Working Groups and global initiatives, she brought clarity, wisdom, and a deep moral compass. She strengthened our collective mission and reminded us always of the human stories behind the policies we shape.

Her impact is perhaps best captured in the words of those who knew her closely.

Luis Eugenio de Souza, immediate Past President of the WFPHA, said:

“Dr. Rocio was a true leader in Costa Rica, Latin America, and the world, a highly competent and ethical professional who will continue to inspire public health professionals.”

Our President, Emma Rawson Te-Patu, shared:

“María del Rocío Sáenz was a force of nature. Her clarity of mind and strategic understanding of, and how to speak about, what should be addressed as a priority for equity, human rights, and effective health systems, health service delivery, and policy development was extraordinary. She was a true example of leadership and of empowering others to act for the greater good. Rocio could hold a room in the palm of her hand with her tone, a look, and indeed a few specific hand gestures that left you in no uncertain terms that you had been informed and must act. I was privileged to spend much time with and to learn and be guided by Rocio. I especially treasure the time we were together as Salzburg Global Fellows in Salzburg, Austria, in 2024 and more recently in Brasilia, Brazil, at Abrasco in November 2025. She will be missed by many, by our public health family and the global community at large. Tenei te mihi ki a koe e te Mareikura, Haere Haere Haere atu rā, Kua Wheturangitia! Arohanui ki te whānau pani… (We acknowledge you, leader of people, you are now part of the cloak of stars in the sky. Go now, rest now, be at peace. Sending love to your family and loved ones).”

Bettina Borisch, our CEO, adds:

“For all of us who had the privilege of working with Maria del Rocio Saenz, we got to know an exceptional human being, kindness and determination, knowledge and humanity, so many more combinations rarely found in one person: Rocio, we already miss you!”

Arachu Castro, Professor and Samuel Z. Stone Chair of Public Health in Latin America at Tulane University and member of the board of directors of the Health Equity Network of the Americas, wrote: 

“Rocío was an extraordinary woman who led with conviction, compassion, and integrity in the pursuit of health equity across Latin America. I had the privilege of working closely with her over the past seven years and of calling her a dear friend and a mentor. She was deeply inspiring and thoughtful in all that she did. In recent years, as director of HENA/RAES, Rocío built a vibrant technical secretariat at the University of Costa Rica composed of public health graduates, creating opportunities for young people to learn, grow, and thrive. She was committed to nurturing the next generation with care and intention. At our most recent HENA monthly meeting, two days before her passing, she shared her intention to transfer the directorship to a member of the technical secretariat, reflecting her commitment to continuity and collective growth, as well as her generosity. Through our regular conversations, she remained a constant source of clarity and inspiration. Her absence will be profoundly felt. I will miss her dearly.”

Michael Moore, Past President of the WFPHA and Chair of the Immunization Taskforce, shared:

“Not only has Costa Rica lost a great public health professional, but the world has as well. She was not only an outstanding professional but also a person full of compassion and humanity. We mourn the loss of María del Rocío Sáenz Madriga, a great friend to the World Federation of Public Health Associations for her commitment and expertise. She brought a unique blend of political experience and medical expertise to the Federation’s policy and advocacy work. The thoughtful and professional approach she applied in discussions and during WFPHA webinars provided clear insight into both the challenges and solutions regarding public health issues. Her premature death is particularly sad for those of us who understand the contribution that she has made, and should be continuing to make, to improve health across the life course and independent of wealth.”

And our Past President, Walter Ricciardi, added:

“Dr. Rocío Sáenz will be remembered for her unwavering dedication to public health, her compassion for others, and the lasting impact she made on so many lives—an impact I had the opportunity to witness firsthand through our work together in the Public Health Leadership Coalition of the World Federation of Public Health Associations, where she was one of the most active and respected leaders leaving behind a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations in the pursuit of equity and health for all.”

These words reflect what so many of us feel: that Rocío was not only brilliant, but deeply human. She led with conviction, spoke with purpose, and acted with compassion. She had the rare ability to challenge, to inspire, and to unite; always in the pursuit of a fairer, healthier world.

We mourn her passing, but we also celebrate her legacy. A legacy of courage, of integrity, and of unwavering commitment to health as a fundamental human right. A legacy that lives on in the systems she strengthened, the people she mentored, and the global movement she helped shape.

On behalf of the World Federation of Public Health Associations, we extend our deepest condolences to her family, her colleagues, and all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Rocío, thank you for your leadership, your wisdom, and your friendship. Your work continues through all of us.

Oral Health in Humanitarian Crises: A Missing Link in Refugee Health and Peacebuilding

Oral health is a recognized component of overall health. Yet in humanitarian crises, it remains largely absent from emergency response frameworks. In contexts of conflict and forced displacement, oral healthcare infrastructure is often damaged, disrupted, or inaccessible.

Untreated oral disease is associated with cardiovascular conditions, diabetes complications, and adverse pregnancy outcomes, conditions already more prevalent in crisis-affected populations. Despite this, refugee dental care rarely appears in Emergency Health Minimum Service Packages.

As of 2024, more than 122 million people worldwide were forcibly displaced, including 43.7 million refugees. The burden of untreated oral disease among these populations is substantial and largely unaddressed.

The Global Burden of Oral Disease Among Refugees

Displaced populations are concentrated in:

• Africa: Sudan, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, Ethiopia, Nigeria
• Middle East: Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Palestine
• Europe: Ukraine
• Latin America: Venezuela, Colombia
• Asia: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Cambodia

Evidence shows consistently high levels of unmet oral health needs:

• In Canada, 85% of adult refugees have untreated dental decay, compared with 20% in the general population.
• In Massachusetts, refugee children have twice the rate of untreated dental caries as the national average.
• A global scoping review reported caries prevalence among refugees ranging from 5% to 99%, and gingivitis from 6% to 100%, reflecting wide but consistently high unmet need.

These figures reveal a persistent gap in humanitarian healthcare planning: oral health is treated as optional rather than essential.

Why Oral Health Is Excluded From Humanitarian Health Packages

Even in stable health systems, oral health is often separated from general healthcare. In crisis settings, where resources are stretched, and life-threatening conditions take precedence, this marginalization deepens.

Humanitarian responses prioritize:

• Food
• Shelter
• Water and sanitation
• Essential medical care

Oral health rarely features in Emergency Health Minimum Service Packages. A recent content analysis found little to no integration of oral health within refugee health policy frameworks.

Three factors contribute to this exclusion:

1. The “Non-Life-Saving” Misconception

Oral health is frequently categorized as non-essential. Yet severe dental infections can progress to sepsis, and unmanaged pain disrupts eating, sleeping, and daily functioning.

2. The Infrastructure Myth

Dental care is perceived as requiring specialist equipment and facilities. In reality, many urgent needs, including pain management, infection control, and simple extractions, can be addressed with basic equipment and trained health workers.

3. The Data Gap

Oral health indicators are rarely included in rapid health assessments. Without data on pain prevalence, untreated infection, or functional impairment, the burden remains invisible in planning and resource allocation.

The exclusion reflects how humanitarian systems define and prioritize health interventions, not the absence of need.

Health System Consequences in Conflict Settings

The omission of oral health has measurable consequences and aligns directly with the Global Public Health Week 2026 theme: “Peace for Health, Health for Peace.”

Emergency departments frequently see patients presenting with oral pain but lack the capacity to provide definitive treatment.

In Gaza by mid-2024, only 60 of approximately 1,500 licensed dentists were able to provide care, illustrating the collapse of oral health service capacity during the prolonged conflict.

Untreated oral disease restricts:

• Food intake
• Communication
• Social participation

In conflict-affected settings, social determinants such as housing, food security, and sanitation already heighten health risks. When treatable conditions remain unaddressed, trust in health systems declines.

Oral health influences nutrition, psychological well-being, and economic participation. Functional impairment caused by oral disease can slow community recovery and undermine longer-term peacebuilding efforts.

Oral health, dignity, and peace are interconnected.

Evidence That Integration Is Feasible

Multiple programs demonstrate that integrating oral health into humanitarian responses is feasible and effective.

The Refugee Crisis Foundation (RCF) operates in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, home to nearly one million Rohingya refugees. RCF provides:

• Fixed and mobile dental services
• School-based prevention programmes
• Training for local health workers to manage oral emergencies

RCF also supports initiatives in Gaza and on the Greek island of Lesbos.

Comparable models exist elsewhere:

• In Brazil, NGO-public health partnerships provide fluoride varnish and sealants to Venezuelan and Haitian refugees.
• In Bangladesh, culturally adapted oral health education programs have improved hygiene practices among Rohingya communities.
• In Ukraine and New Zealand, oral health has been incorporated into emergency response and resettlement frameworks.

These examples demonstrate that success depends less on specialist infrastructure and more on integration with primary care, education, and community health platforms.

Practical Actions to Integrate Oral Health Into Humanitarian Response

To ensure refugee dental care is treated as essential healthcare, several actions are needed:

1. Include Oral Health in Emergency Health Minimum Service Packages

Baseline services should include:

• Pain relief
• Infection control
• Referral pathways
• Distribution of oral hygiene supplies

Standard-setting bodies such as the Sphere Association and UNHCR should incorporate this into their policy guidance.

2. Expand the Role of Community Health Workers

Task-sharing can extend access where dentists are unavailable. Training should include recognizing oral emergencies, performing basic interventions, and outlining referral pathways.

3. Collect Oral Health Data in Rapid Assessments

Indicators related to pain prevalence, untreated infection, and functional impairment should inform planning and funding decisions.

4. Integrate With Existing Health Platforms

Oral health can be embedded within:

• Maternal and child health services
• Non-communicable disease programs
• Primary healthcare systems

5. Reframe the Narrative

Urgent oral conditions must be recognised as essential medical needs rather than elective services.

Conclusion: Oral Health Is Essential in Humanitarian Crises

Oral health remains underrepresented in humanitarian policy and practice. Yet evidence shows that low-cost interventions, including daily oral hygiene support, access to fluoride, and emergency pain management, are feasible and effective.

Integrating oral health into humanitarian health frameworks aligns with commitments to:

• Equity
• Universal health coverage
• Health system resilience
• Peacebuilding

Oral health should be a standard component of humanitarian health responses, not an afterthought.

Written by the Chair of the WFPHA Oral Health Working Group, Abiola Adeniyi, and Working Group member Aya El Tahir

THE WFPHA Statement Condemning the Bombing in Iran and the Middle East 

The World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) strongly condemns the recent actions by Israel and the United States of America, which initiated an act of war that was without any justification under international law, is contrary to the UN Charter, and has led to the widespread loss of life in Iran and the Middle East. 

The WFPHA unequivocally rejects all acts of war and political violence. This comes alongside a strain of work in peace and health, such as the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, as well as Palestine and Venezuela more recently. Bombing as a tool of foreign policy and regime change places civilians – families, children, healthcare workers, and entire communities – directly in harm’s way, undermining the most fundamental public health principles and human rights. 

Public safety is the number one public health issue of our time. Yet military actions like these do not increase public safety. They do not protect populations from harm; they expand the scope of suffering, endanger health systems, increase displacement, and worsen long-term physical and mental health outcomes for millions. Violence and war disrupt vital services, destroy infrastructure, and set back progress on health, equity, and security for entire populations. 

We reaffirm that safety is inseparable from peace. Sustainable public safety and the health of individuals and communities cannot be secured through bombing campaigns, targeted killings, or escalation of conflict. Evidence and history alike show that militarized approaches to conflict often entrench cycles of violence and instability rather than resolve underlying causes. 

The WFPHA stands in solidarity with all people affected by this crisis and urgently calls on: 

• Immediate de-escalation of military operations and cessation of all hostilities.
• A shift toward peaceful diplomacy, conflict resolution, and dialogue grounded in international law and human rights.
• Protection of all civilians and civilian infrastructure in accordance with international humanitarian law.
• Global leadership focused on public health, human security, and the prevention of violence, not its expansion. 

We recognize that war is a leading threat to life and population safety on the planet, rivaling climate change, pandemics, and environmental degradation as global health emergencies. The loss of life in Iran, whether civilian or political, is a human tragedy. It must serve as a stark reminder that violence is never a path to health, justice, or well-being. 

Public health demands peace. Public safety demands peace. Humanity demands peace. 

View all of our policies on war and peace here.

Global Public Health Week Day 5 Events

Global Public Health Week 2025: Day 5 – Rebuilding Health and Hope – Friday, April 10th

Focus: Mental health, social recovery, and youth engagement.

Healing after conflict requires both mental and social reconstruction. This final day celebrates initiatives that restore psychosocial well-being, empower youth, women, and vulnerable populations, and rebuild community trust as a foundation for peace.

All events are free unless noted. Find the other events here: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, and Day 4.