PAHO/WHO DIRECTOR IN OFFICIAL VISIT TO TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

[ 20-23 JULY, 2008 ]

Washington D.C. July 21, 2008.- Dr. Mirta Roses-Periago, Director of Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization, (PAHO/WHO), is attending this week an official visit to Trinidad and Tobago where she participates in the 13th Special meeting of the Council for Health and Social Development (COHSOD) on the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA).

Dr. Roses delivered a brief presentation to Ministers on perspectives for CARPHA, including the role of the agency, and PAHO/WHO's support in its establishment and technical assistance in the development of the new agency.

Heads of Government from the Caribbean have been underlined the importance of the process for the establishment of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), which intended to bring under a single governance structure, the Regional Health Institutions in order to provide comprehensive oversight for the management of the Community's public health programme.

According to Dr. Roses the establishment of this agency presents opportunity to strengthen efficiency and effectiveness of coordinating mechanisms, with respect to essential public health functions, at both the regional and national levels.

During her official visit the Director will meet with Senator the Hon. Jerry Narace, Minister of Health and Senior Health Managers at the Ministry's Head Office in Port of Spain. She is expected to brief Minister Narace on PAHO/WHO's recent initiatives in technical cooperation in the subregion and in Trinidad and Tobago in particular. She will also discuss with the Minister new ways in which PAHO/WHO's can lend support to the Government in improving the health of the people of Trinidad and Tobago.

The Director will address the opening ceremony of the CAREC Council on Tuesday morning. She will use the opportunity to update the Council on the reorganization of PAHO/WHO's technical cooperation in the region.

During her visit the Director will also meet with Representatives from the Public Heath Agency of Canada to discuss joint collaboration on Caribbean and regional initiatives.

Under her busy agenda Dr. Roses will meet with all PAHO personnel in Trinidad and Tobago and visit the offices.

More information:
Media Release: PAHO/WHO DIRECTOR VISITS TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

For more information, please contact Diaz, Eng. Katia (WDC), Director's Office Web Master, and/or Maza, Mr. Rony (WDC), Country Focus Support Office.