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News & Releases
PAHO and Caribbean countries working to strengthen subregional cooperation strategies
Kingston, Jamaica. 12-16 April, 2010.- As part of an official visit to this country, which coincided with the holding of the Caribbean Sub-regional Managers’ Meeting, PAHO Director Dr. Mirta Roses Periago met with Jamaica’s Prime Minister, the Honorable Bruce Golding, at Jamaica House.
Read more »


Women in Politics
Public health is a powerful tool to build a safer and durable world for all. "That is why I have devoted my entire career to public health; that is why pursuing a career in global health is so rich in personal fulfillment in spite of the occasional disappointments and all the limitations to be found; that is why more attention should be given to it both in policy and in politics." [ Director's Speech at Georgetown University, WDC. ]



AMRO-AFRO Areas of Collaboration
Washington, DC. February 24, 2010.- World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Directors for Africa (AFRO) and for the Americas (AMRO) met to discuss areas of collaboration between the two regional WHO offices. In recent years, PAHO and AFRO have worked together in important areas which include health systems strengthening, human resources for health, and vaccine-preventable diseases. The African Health Observatory/ Core health data initiative, Virtual Health Campus, and HIV/AIDS will be other important areas of collaboration.
Read more »
Dr. Sambo, AFRO Regional Director presentation at AMRO »


The impact of the crisis on a key social sector, HEALTH: new lines of action
New York. February 22, 2010.- Dr. Mirta Roses' presentation at the III Strategic Social Thinking Forum of Latin America, under the subject: "Toward an integrated and inclusive development in Latin America and the Caribbean." [only Spanish version available]
Presentación »


Special Report on PAHO's response to the Earthquake in HAITI
Washington DC. January 19, 2010.- Briefing by Dr. Mirta Roses, PAHO Director and Director of the WHO Regional Office for the Americas, to the Executive Board of the World Health Organization. Dr. Roses reported on the Pan American Health Organization's response to the humanitarian crisis in Haiti after the January 12 earthquake. PAHO leads the U.N. Health Cluster.
Read more
Director's Newsletter Issue 2 - Haiti Special Edition


PAHO/WHO Coordinating Regional Efforts to Assist Haiti after Earthquake
Washington, DC. January 14, 2010.- The Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) is coordinating the mobilization of efforts to help health authorities in Haiti meet the basic health needs of their people in the aftermath of Tuesday's earthquake, through its country offices. All the countries in the Region have responded with great solidarity.
Read more: Director's Newsletter Special Edition - Haiti


Fostering Cooperation in Health
Washington, D.C. PAHO HQ. December 16, 2009.- "Public health is way more than a job for us: it is a passion, a heartfelt commitment, our whole life. We keep good company because, fortunately, it is that way not only for us but also for millions of people worldwide. Public health is a sort of a network of networks, where a broad and multifaceted umbrella which protects the well-being of humanity is held up every day by a myriad of individual's actions."
Welcoming remarks by Dr. Mirta Roses-Periago, Director of the Pan American Health Organization on the occasion of the South-South Development Solutions Forum on Global Health as part of the Global South-South Development Expo at PAHO HQ in Washington DC.
More » 

Advancing toward Health for All: Progress in Primary Health Care in the Americas.
Annual Report from PAHO Director, 2009.
There are countries in our Region and in the World that have managed to build health Systems that effectively guarantee universal and equitable access, that are collective and participatory, and that at the same time ensure efficiency, effectiveness, and quality. All of these systems are based on primary health care.
Annual Report of the Director 2009


THE GLOBAL ECONOMIC RECESSION and the MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS
Washington, D.C. 49th Directing Council. October 1, 2009.- Important dialogue between Ministers of Health of the Americas during the celebration of the 49º.Directing council of PAHO analyzes the impact of the world economic crisis for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, the most ambitious endeavor ever pursued against poverty, where the principles of equity, solidarity and the right to the highest attainable health are the core values of the PHC approach; while its guiding principles are the responsiveness to people's health needs, social justice, quality-oriented services, government accountability, sustainability, participation and intersectoriality.
Director's Newsletter


Director's Presentation to the OAS Permanent Council
Washington, D.C. September 23, 2009.- Briefing Session to the Permanent Ambassadors to the Organization of American States and others Estate Member’s Ambassadors.
Presentation
PAHO 49th Directing Council


Inter-American Mission to Haiti assess the impact of the cooperation programs to support the socioeconomic development and political stability
Haiti. September 3-6, 2009.- PAHO Director on official visit as part of a high level Inter-American mission to Haiti to assess the impact of the cooperation programs by the international community on the process of development in Haiti, notably in Gonaives, Jacmel and Cité Soleil.
The high-level mission was comprise of Representatives of Member States, including the Chair of the OAS Permanent Council, OAS authorities and senior officials of PAHO, IDB, IICA and the PADF. This mission follows mandates emanated from the 5th Summit of America and the Resolution 2487 of the General meeting of OEA in support to socioeconomic development and to political stability of Haiti, particularly. This resolution asks the international partners of Haiti to continue coordinating their actions with the Haitian Government with the aim of getting better results at local level.
More information »
More in PDF »
L’OEA sur le terrain pour évaluer les progrès accomplis [UNMINUSTAH French version]


Caribbean Wellness Day 2009
Caribbean Countries Celebrate Healthy Lifestyles. On the week of 7-12 September, Caribbean countries will celebrate Caribbean Wellness Day 2009. CWD was launched in 2008 as a response to concerns about the physical, economic and social burdens caused by lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, stroke, heart disease, and cancer. Among the activities this year are a lifestyle management seminar, a soca-erobathon, walks, health checks and healthy cooking demonstrations.
A message from PAHO Director


Public Health in crisis times
Buenos Aires, Argentina. August 19, 2009.- Conference of Dr. Mirta Roses in the Medical School, University of Buenos Aires, during the ceremony in memory of Dr. Carlos Canitrot, a recognized Argentine public health professional.
Presentation [only Spanish version]


World Fair on Municipalities and Health
Buenos Aires, Argentina. August 18-21, 2009.- Argentina hosted the first World Fair on Municipalities and Health: Rights, Citizenship, and Integrated Local Management for Development, one of the year’s most important international health events, with around 3,000 participants expected.
The first day of the Fair closed with a presentation by the Director of the Pan American Health Organization, Dr. Mirta Roses Periago, who talked about "Municipalities, Health and Integrated Management: An Opportunity to Support the Exercise of Civil Rights."
Read more »
Director's presentation » [only Spanish version]
With a declaration of commitment to work together for a most healthy world and with an appeal to promote the full development of its communities, the director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Mirta Roses, closed the World Fair on Municipalities and Health.
Closing »


Welcoming Remarks of Dr. Mirta Roses Periago, PAHO's Director, to the Regional Advisory Committee On Health Statistics (CRAES)
The PAHO’s Advisory Committee on Health Statistics (CRAES) meeting took place in the Pan American Health Organization headquarters in Washington, DC on August 11-13, 2009. The Committee meets periodically to analyze the status of health statistics in the Region of the Americas while promoting improvements in the coverage and the quality of vital and other statistics of interest to the health sector.
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PAHO, Humanitarian Clowns and Health Experts Join Forces, Using Art as a Bridge to Health and Development
Washington, D.C. - From 4 to 16 August, art becomes a bridge to health access for thousands of people in a remote and vulnerable community in Peru with the arrival of some 100 humanitarian clowns and international public health experts from 12 countries, as part of the Pan American Health Organization’s Faces, Voices and Places Initiative for the Millennium Development Goals.
PAHO VIDEO »Arte, Puente para la Salud (in Spanish)
Art and Health: together in the Belén Festival
PAHO Director, health promoters and humanitarian clowns will join Belén Festival in Peru
Humanitarian Clowns and Health Experts Join Forces, Using Art as a Bridge to Health and Development


Influenza A (H1N1): Lessons Learned and Preparing for the Future
High-level Meeting on Influenza A (H1N1). Mexico. 3 July 2009.- Director's closing remarks - 'I believe that we are reaping the fruits of years of planning and preparation, which have been very important and, since 2007, have put most of the countries on a rather similar and equitable plane in terms of their ability to participate and implement the International Health Regulations' ... 'this is the real political challenge, always bearing in mind the fundamental principles of protecting the population, solidarity, and equity, and above all trust among peoples and among authorities'.
More » 
More in PDF;» 

UN RDT/RDG: UN Regional Directors Group (RDG) Meeting
Panama. 29-30 June, 2009.- The Regional Directors Group (RDG) of UNAIDS Cosponsors in Latin America and the Caribbean had a very successful meeting in Panama this week, the last meeting under PAHO's chairmanship.
Dr. Mirta Roses, PAHO Director who delivered the opening remarks expressed that this gathering is a good time to measure progress made over the last year and propose some critical lines of action for the next joint RDG work plan 2010-2011.
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Memorandum of Understanding between the Alliance for Rabies Control and the Pan American Health Organization
Washington, D.C. PAHO HQ. 24 June 2009.- Dr. Mirta Roses Periago, PAHO Director signed a memorandum of understanding between PAHO/WHO and the Alliance for Rabies Control (ARC), through their Executive Director, Deborah J Briggs; which outline their plan for cooperative activities to promote rabies prevention, surveillance, control and elimination.
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PAHO, PAHEF AND GLOBAL BUSINESS FORUM luncheon discussion meeting
Washington, D.C. The Georgetown Club. June 16, 2009.- "Opportunities for Public Private Partnerships to Address the Challenges of Health in the Americas"
PAHO, PAHEF and the Global Business Forum(GBF) met to review important areas of cooperation in this the four year of PAHO/GBF interchange.
After introductions by PAHO Director on the general health situation in the region, the group established a dialogue around PAHO's priorities, and its efforts to work with the private sector and other constituencies as part of the multi partner approach.
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HUMAN SECURITY: A Public Health Perspective
El Paso, Texas, USA. June 5, 2009.- Dr. Mirta Roses' presentation at the LXVII Annual Meeting USMBHA /AFMES (Human Security: A New Border Response).
Human security means protecting the vital freedoms. It means protecting the people exposition to threats and to certain situations, strengthening its strength and aspirations. It also means creating systems that facilitate for people the basic elements of survival, dignity, and life.
The threats to the safety of the people in general, to women, to communities, to the ethnic groups, were not sufficiently assessed as potential threats to the safety in general, neither the poverty, the spread of diseases, the destruction of the environment, the lack of access to water, the maternal health, the not to have a permanent work. Until the end of the cold war the states and governments, had not considered priority the daily insecurities that have to support common people, because the greatest threats were seen outside the borders within the framework of the confrontation among the large potencies.
Hunan security means the equitable access to education, work, and health, as well as the respect of the human rights, as essential components of the security, this without denying the obligation of guaranteeing national security by of the governments.
Presentation »


Passionate for Primary Health Care (PHC)
May 15, 2009.- Interview with Dr. Roses in Safe Observer International Observatory. "I believe we need to have in place well-functioning health systems that are: Able to protect the population under any circumstances; Resistant and resilient in the face of crises; Capable of reacting rapidly and developing urgent strategies; Skilled at rebuilding themselves as necessary to respond to current and future challenges arising from demographic and epidemiological changes."
Interview » [PDF]
Safe Observer - Original Publication
Health Systems Based on Primary Health Care for Social Protection. [PAHO Website]


Public Health Emergency of International Concern
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Regional Office for the Americas (AMRO) of the World Health Organization (WHO) coordinating the actions with the health authorities and governments of the Region in order to preserve the health, our most basic asset.
Director Office's Newsletters
Issue No. 10 - May 20, 2009
Issue No. 08 - April 29, 2009
Issue No. 07 - April 27, 2009


A H1N1 - An Outbreak Timeline
Science Magazine. 8 May 2009.- "I'm amazed at the capacity we have with the information and communication technologies," says epidemiologist Mirta Roses Periago, head of the Pan American Health Organization. "We used to do things with our hands and smelling and looking at the patients." During the past few weeks, she notes, scientists have rapidly shared sequences of the viruses, digital images of patient x-rays, and electron micrographs of the new H1N1.
"At this point in history, this is the best surveillance we've ever had," said Keiji Fukuda, one of WHO's assistant director generals.
Read more in Science Magazine »
PDF Article »


Seventh Vaccination Week in the Americas
April 25, 2009 - May 02, 2009.- Vaccination Week in the Americas is an unparalleled effort led by the member countries of the Pan American Health Organization to vaccinate millions of people. In 2009, the seventh Vaccination Week in the Americas will happen between the 25th of April and May 2nd. This year, Vaccination Week will emphasize vaccination of the whole family, and the immunization of health workers.
A Message from PAHO Director »
Massive Multi-Country Drive Aims to Vaccinate 30 Million People [PAHO Press Release]


PAHO Director at the 5th Summit of the Americas
Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago. 17 - 19 April 2009.- The Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Dr. Mirta Roses, attended the meeting as the Director of the Pan American Sanitary Bureau of the Organization of American States (OAS), health agency of the Inter-American System with more than 100 years of existence, which is the world's oldest health organization. During the meeting, the Director of PAHO had the opportunity to exchange ideas and discuss important topics with leaders of the governments of the region, related to the public health organization that she leads.
Director's Picture Gallery »
Securing Our Citizens’ Future by Promoting Human Prosperity, Energy Security and Environmental Sustainability


PAHO Subregional Managers' Meeting for the Caribbean
Bahamas. 14-17 April, 2009.- PAHO Managers from the Caribbean region met to strengthen coordination among Country Offices (COs), the Subregional Office, Centers and Programs, and the regional entities, with emphasis on country focus and subregional technical cooperation processes; to better understanding of the national health situation and the technical cooperation program for and with The Bahamas. Participants updated on the economic crisis and its impact on the health sector analyzed and on subregional integration, subregional initiatives and relevant technical topics.
Dr. Roses, PAHO's Director chaired the meeting and took the opportunity to meet with the national health authorities at Bahamas to review relevant health issues of common interest.
Bahamas Media Release »
More on SRMM Bahamas » [Intranet Access only]
Director's Newsletter


SAFE HOSPITALS and DISASTERS
Washington, DC. PAHO. 7 April 2009.- Director's article published in several countries in the region (Guatemala, Costa Rica, Barbados, República Dominicana, Caribbean Net News, Bolivia, Nicaragua)
When a disaster strikes, our most immediate concern is to save lives, help the injured, and restore well-being to the affected communities. This cannot be accomplished without a vital element: our hospitals. However, more than half of them--that is, over 8,000 in Latin America and the Caribbean, are located in high-risk areas. If these health facilities cease their operations because of a disaster, the repercussions will be infinitely worse. This year, therefore, World Health Day underscored the need for safe hospitals.
World Health Day 2009, PAHO
More » 

Report - State of the Region 2008 - for Central America and Dominican Republic
Washington, DC. PAHO HQ. Febrero 19, 2009.- Central America needs national and regional innovative responses. Despite profound changes in the last 20 years CENTRAL AMERICA faces today a new and more complex international situation.


[only in Spanish]
Más información »
"Informe Estado de la Región (2008)"
Estado de la Nación_Website
Presentación del Sr. Miguel Gutiérrez


AMRO takes the lead: Implementation of new WHO policy on Collaborating Centers
Washington, DC. February 2009.- With the rollout of the global electronic system known as eCC System in 2007, all WHO Regions transitioned to a paperless processing environment for (re)designations of the WHO Collaborating Centers. The mandate to do so was announced by mid 2008.
AMRO/PAHO took the lead as it kicked off 2009 in full compliance with this new policy.
This was accomplished thanks to the remarkable teamwork of all partners involved: ITT/AME and KMS/KCS, WHO development and support team for the ingenious eCC system; WHO staff at the country, regional and Headquarters in Geneva and most importantly, all the centers.
More » 

Improving Public Health by addressing the SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH
Asuncion, Paraguay. 16 February 2009.- SRMM-Subregional Managers' Meeting Andean Region and Southern Cone.
Director's Interview with IP Paraguay (Secretariat of Information and Communication for Development) during her official visit to Paraguay to participate in the PAHO's SRMM.
[only Spanish version] "... la formulación de políticas públicas que aborden el peso de los determinantes sociales para reducir las desigualdades que se encuentran en los resultados de salud de la población y también de manera importante en cómo llevar a que la salud esté integrada en todas las políticas públicas (de empleo, de inversión en infraestructura, en alfabetización universal, etc.) de modo que se pueda trabajar de manera concertada y teniendo en cuenta que el objetivo final es la calidad de vida de la población ... "
Entrevista/Interview »
PDF »


PRIMARY HEALTH CARE is the solution to key health problems facing our communities today
Asuncion, Paraguay. 12 February 2009.- PAHO's Director during an exchange that she held with representatives of different community organizations of the Central department in Paraguay that stated their experiences concerning the shares carried out to promote a healthier space; during the Subregional Managers' Meeting of the Andean area and Southern Cone of PAHO. [PDF Only in Spanish version]
More in PDF;» 

PAHO promotes behavior change to combat DENGUE in the Region
Asuncion, Paraguay. 10 February 2009.- PAHO Director at a press conference during the PAHO Subregional Managers' Meeting of Southern Cone and Andean (SRMM).
[only in Spanish] “Creo que tenemos el conocimiento y la estrategia que funciona, pero todavía nos falta ese cambio de comportamiento. Tenemos que encontrar los caminos para hacer que la gente no entre en pánico ni alarma, ni trate de buscar al culpable afuera porque definitivamente el culpable está dentro, muchas veces, dentro de las casas”, sostuvo.
Director's Newsletter - SRMM
More in PDF;» 

Health Care Must NOT Replicate Social Inequalities
Washington, DC. October 20, 2008.- The renewal of primary health care (PHC) as a crucial tool for overcoming existing weaknesses ... Our region is an acknowledged leader in the fight to ensure that the integrated vision of health expressed in the primary health care strategy becomes a priority on the political agenda and in public health policy-making. We must continue this endeavor, so critical for achieving the greater goal of health for all, with all, and by all, at every level of action in health throughout the life cycle.
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"Public Health and the Financial Crisis
Spain. October 17, 2008.- Radio France International Interviews Dr. Mirta Roses, PAHO Director, after the celebration of the Almaty Conference on the 30th Anniversary of Primary Health Care Declaration. "... Health for all and education for all, to construct safer and equitable societies ..."
[ Only in Spanish: ] Audio » / Interview »
Radio France Internacional note in Spanish»

Global Health Inequities
Almaty, Kazakhstan. Otober 7-8, 2008.- UN Radio Interview with Dr. Mirta Roses, PAHO Director, about the launching of The World Health Report 2008 and the 30th Anniversary of Alma-Ata Declaration on Primary Health Care and Health for All.
Audio only in Spanish »
Radio UN note in Spanish»
Director's Newsletter


Planning Public Health Action. A Collective Vision and Commitment to Better Health.
Annual Report from PAHO Director, 2007-2008.
Washington, D.C. September 29, 2008.- Dr. Mirta Roses Periago presents the 2007–2008 annual report on the work of the Pan American Sanitary Bureau, Regional Office of the World Health Organization. The report highlights the Bureau's major work in providing technical cooperation during this period within the framework of the Strategic Plans of the Pan American Sanitary Bureau.
"... strategic planning will allow us to strengthen health action, improve efficiency, increase accountability, and improve social protection and access to quality health care ..."
Director's speech » / Annual Report »


The effects of climate change on human health
September 2008. CNN interviews PAHO’s Director.
In an interview with CNN, the Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) underlined the effects of climate change on human health, the new challenges faced by global health, the importance of access to and quality of safe water and food for human consumption, as well as the high incidence on the health of populations due to the changes caused by the variations in the climatic behavior of our planet, concluding that joint action and individual responsibility is vital to preserve the planet and human health.
Climate Health and Human Health [Only Spanish version]
Cambio Climático y Salud Humana


Action Now: For the lives of mothers, newborns, and children
Chile. September 19, 2008.- Regional Launch of the Global Initiative.
"... There can be no delay. Every year, over 22,000 women in the Region die from causes related to pregnancy and childbirth, along with nearly 400,000 children under the age of 5. Worldwide, in the brief time required to read this article, four women who are pregnant or giving birth and 80 boys and girls under 5 will die ... "
PAHO-PMNCH Article »
WHO South-South cooperation for MDGs 4 and 5 »
Briefing video: Regional launching »


International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) to replace United Nations System Accounting Standards (UNSAS) as approved by the General Assembly of the United Nations
Washington, DC. PAHO HQ. September 9, 2008.- " ... This is a Corporate Initiative for PAHO - IPSAS supports and enhances objectives of Results Based Management. Furthermore, it ensures transparency in financial budgeting, accounting and reporting, and provides opportunities for comparability among and between international organizations ..."
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PAHO address the critical issue of how to support women in the health sciences in Latin America
Washington, DC. PAHO HQ. September 3, 2008.- " ... I am delighted to have the opportunity to welcome you all here to think with us on how best to help the women whose scientific efforts provides an underpinning of all that we do ... women in Latin America do not enjoy the same social status as men. Gender equality is a goal yet to be achieved ... the current trend of the rates of HIV infections in women and girls across Latin America, particularly in Caribbean countries, is alarming, Women aged between 15 and 24 account for 45 percent of all HIV infections among adults globally ... I challenge you to think with us on how we could adapt the capacity building program for women researchers and use it to empower women working on AIDS, and women working on environmental health issues so they can take their place among the thinkers and change agents for a healthier world ..."
Director's opening speech » at the meeting of Women Experts on HIV and Environmental Health Research.


Better responses to the needs of people living with disability
A thoughtful interview for the health magazine “Patients for Patient Safety and the Right to Health” conducted by Garance Upham, the dynamic Chair of the disability and economics circle of the People’s Health Movement reminded me a few days ago about the requirement to keep improving the public health and public policy responses to the needs of people living with disability.
Dr. Roses Blog's article.


It's time to break the silence
Mexico. August 5, 2008.- "... preventing new infections is key to halting the HIV pandemic ... over 55,000 children under the age of 15 and 400,000 young people between the ages of 15 and 18 were living with HIV in 2007 ... only 4 out of 10 adolescents and young adults considered themselves well-informed about HIV ... let us undertake this responsibility with leadership, passion, and courage. Let us make our children’s right to protect themselves a reality ... "
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Towards Elimination of Vertical Transmission of HIV and Syphilis as a public health problem in the Caribbean
Mexico City. August 3-8, 2008.- " ... The satellite session held on Sunday regarding achievement of Universal Access in the Caribbean and current realities clearly highlighted the potential of the region to make rapid progress towards the Universal Access goal. On the other hand, the need to ensure comprehensive quality care to pregnant women and their infants to sustain achievements on prevention of vertical transmission of HIV was identified as a must."
Dr. Roses address as keynote speaker » at the XVII International AIDS Conference, AIDS 2008.


PAHO Director co-chair an special session on HIV/AIDS for the Latin America region at AIDS 2008
Mexico City. August 3-8, 2008. XVII International AIDS Conference, AIDS 2008.- PAHO Director co-chair the special session on HIV for Latin America region with Carlos Passarelli, Deputy Director of the Brazilian National AIDS Programme and Director of the International Center for Technical Cooperation on HIV/AIDS. The session focused the discussion about the actions taken in the Latin American region since the FORO and CONCASIDA 2007 and what has to be done to establish formal links between regional conferences and International AIDS conferences.
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Cuba is World Leader in Medical Care, According to PAHO
Cuba. Visita Oficial. Julio 28-31, 2008.- PAHO Director visited several health centers during her official visit to Cuba and pointed out that Cuba offers a wide variety of activities and services related to health, and is a founding member of PAHO, which was established 106 years ago, she also talked to the press about the work carried out by Cuba with respect to its aging population and said tha Cuba has met the needs identified several decades ago to train more healthcare professionals and provide more clinics in towns.
Media Release
[Spanish version]:Presentación de la Directora »
Resumen visita oficial de la Directora y cancelación sello postal en saludo al 60 aniversario de la OMS y el 30 aniversario de Alma Ata.
Newsletter »

Pan American Alliance for Nutrition and Development
Washington, D.C. Julio 25, 2008.- Top United Nations experts on Latin America and the Caribbean agreed on the establishment of the Pan American Alliance for Nutrition and Development.
PAHO Director Roses noted that, despite overall improvements in nutritional status at the aggregate level in Latin America and the Caribbean, 52 million people in the region are still undernourished, and 9 million children under 5 are chronically malnourished. The Pan American Alliance for Nutrition and Development would promote better nutrition not just through food production and distribution but with a broad range of actions, ranging from safer cooking stoves and safe water to urban agriculture and sustainable use of natural resources.
PAHO Press Release: U.N. Experts Warn on New Threats to MDG Progress in Latin America and the Caribbean
[Spanish version: Director's Presentation
Director's Newsletter


Common Challenges, Joint Solutions
Washington, D.C. July 24, 2008.- Director's Article: ' ...The concept that common challenges demand joint solutions has prompted all the Directors for the Region of agencies in the United Nations system, under the coordination of the UNDP, to develop a joint work program ... coordination is critical to the success ... formulating a work plan to ensure that specific achievements are attained over the next two years ... the Pan American Partnership on Nutrition and Development directed toward finding collective solutions to the food crisis ... '
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PAHO became the new chair of the UNAIDS Regional Directors Group (RDG).
The Regional Directors Group of UNAIDS Cosponsors in Latin America and the Caribbean had a very successful biannual meeting at PAHO Headquarters on July 25, 2008. The RDG, as it is commonly called, adopted several policies to guide and strengthen the UN joint action against HIV/AIDS at country level.
Among these was a policy adapting the Division of Labor to better take into account the mandates and strengths of each of the UNAIDS cosponsors in Latin America and the Caribbean.
PAHO became the new Chair of the RDG for the 2008/2009 period, a role it played when the RDG was founded in 2003. UNICEF becomes the new Vice-Chair.


First Things First
CHILD AND MATERNAL HEALTH. Director's BLOG article where she invites to the lecture of an Op-Ed article written by Bernardo Kliksberg, respected Adviser of the UNDP´s Regional Director for Latin American and the Caribbean, focused on childhood and maternal health.
Director's BLOG »


... more news...