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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Photo 1 shows The Minister of Health, the Dr. Hon. Perry Gomez accepted the award presented by Dr. Carissa F. Etienne, Director, Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), on behalf of the Government of The Bahamas; Photo 2: Dr. Carissa F. Etienne, Director, Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) congratulated Dr. Delon Brennen, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, for the hard work in the Leaders in International Health Program (LHIP) and encouraged him to continue the work of being a strong advocate for public health.
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Director acknowledges The Bahamas’ work towards the elimination of rubella and CRS in the region; presents public health leadership awards at a community reception.
Nassau, July 16th, 2015 – A reception held in honour of the first official visit of Dr. Carissa F. Etienne, Director of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), to The Bahamas marked an exciting and rewarding time for public health officials and the people of the country.
Dr. Etienne issued short remarks, emphasizing her appreciation of the hospitality she received since her arrival to the country. She lauded the commitment of health workers and the Government of The Bahamas towards advancing the health of its people.
However, the Director stressed that for The Bahamas to move forward in health outcomes, greater collaboration and a multisectoral approach is needed to address current health challenges; highlighting the need for a “Health In All Policies” approach to governance.
She also spoke of the need for strong prevention and health promotion strategies, as the government embarks on the phased implementation of National Health Insurance. She supported a stronger focus on primary care, strengthening services with clinics, family practitioners and community nurses – critical in the advancement of Universal Access To Health and Universal Health Insurance.
The Director then acknowledged The Bahamas government’s work towards the elimination of rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) in the region. The last confirmed endemic cases of rubella and CRS were reported in the Americas in 2009.
Photo: Dr. Carissa Etienne, Director, Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) provides remarks to attendees highlighting the importance of a "Health In All Policies" approach of governance, to advance the health of people in The Bahamas - flanked to her left by Minister of Health - the Dr. Hon. Perry Gomez.
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Our region, inclusive of The Bahamas, became the first in the world to be declared free of endemic rubella and CRS by an international expert committee. “This historical achievement culminates a 15-year elimination effort supported by sustained political will and the unwavering commitment of your government, as well as the strong leadership of your public health officials.” said Dr. Etienne.
Dr. Etienne commended the “health care workers in The Bahamas who demonstrated an unstinting determination to bring the gift of immunization to every corner of our hemisphere.” She also applauded the commitment of the people of The Bahamas, calling this public health win, “a tribute to the overwhelming support of your people to ensure that every child, adolescent and adult is protected from vaccine-preventable diseases”
The Director also presented an award to Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Delon Brennen, for his completion of the Edmundo Granda Ugalde Leaders in International Health Program (LHIP) in 2014.
The program launched by PAHO/WHO, was designed to contribute to the development of public health leaders in the region, providing a framework for inter-sectoral, inter-disciplinary, and inter-country cooperation and addresses a variety of topics including: universal health coverage, nutrition and food security, migration, border health, tension and conflicts, healthy diplomacy, climate change, access to medicines and chronic diseases. Dr. Brennen successfully completed the program with Distinction.
About PAHO/WHO
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is an international public health agency with more than 100 years of experience in working to improve health and living standards of the countries of the Americas. It serves as the specialized organization for health of the Inter-American System. It also serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization and enjoys international recognition as part of the United Nations system.
About PAHO/WHO in The Bahamas and The Turks and Caicos Islands
The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) was first established in The Bahamas in 1978 as a sub-regional office of the Jamaica Office. By 1982, it was upgraded to a full Country Office Status.
Since then, an important and healthy relationship has evolved, and although the priorities have shifted, PAHO/WHO has enjoyed a long history of engaging and supporting the Bahamas and Turks Caicos to ensure better health and quality of life of the general population.
If you have any information or further inquiries, please contact, Charles Hamilton, Communications Liaison, at 326-7299 ext. 41205 or hamiltonn@paho.org.
© Copyright 2015 by thebahamasweekly.com
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