Ministers of Health and other high-level representatives from countries and territories of the Americas gathered September 26-30 in Washington, D.C., United States for the 30th Pan American Sanitary Conference of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) which was attended by the Director of PAHO, Dr. Carissa F. Etienne and the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. On that occasion, the Director of PAHO launched the Quinquennial Report (2018-2022) with the results in favor of equity in health for sustainable development.
The quinquennial report summarizes the Organization’s work in all areas over the past five years and highlights, among other relevant topics, the impact that COVID-19 had in underlining inequalities in the Americas, but also offered an opportunity to rebuild fairer and more just societies. inclusive. The contribution of the PAHO Revolving Fund for Access to Vaccines played an important role not only in the distribution of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, but also in expanding the general supply of vaccines that are part of the programs of the Member States. Actions were also taken to prevent and control neglected diseases through the Regional Pact for Primary Health Care and the fight against non-communicable diseases.
Reflecting on the 120th anniversary of PAHO, to be celebrated on December 2, Dr. Carissa Etienne emphasized that no matter how much has been done, there is certainly still a long way to go for the health and well-being of the people of America. “‘Equity,’ ‘human rights,’ and ‘sustainability’ are not simply buzzwords, PAHO Member States and the Pan American Sanitary Bureau take them very seriously,” she said.
On that occasion, the publication Health in the Americas was launched, which provides an overview of the regional health situation and each country in the region, emphasizing the drop in life expectancy due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of the disease, which has reached 180 million people, causing the death of 2.8 million and outlining future challenges for health systems.
In addition to the health impacts, the continuity of care and health professionals were seriously affected by the pandemic. The drop in life expectancy, however, can be reversed if countries move forward with vaccination against COVID-19, strengthen their health systems and reduce inequalities that affect the health of populations.
Dr. Jarbas Barbosa da Silva Jr., from Brazil, was elected PAHO’s new director. His five-year term as the Organization’s 11th Director will begin on February 1, 2023, succeeding Dr. Etienne, who has chaired PAHO since 2012. Dr Jarbas is currently Assistant Director at PAHO, where he has worked to expand access to vaccines during the pandemic and has contributed to strengthening regional capacities in the manufacture of medicines and health technologies.