WHO Director-General outlines priorities in visit to Washington

Washington, D.C., March 5, 2007 (PAHO)—Dr. Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization, today outlined her six priority issues and described her official visit to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation with PAHO Director Dr. Mirta Roses.

Dr. Chan, in a meeting with Pan American Health Organization staff, said she and Dr. Roses had a “very intensive, excellent discussion with the whole team at Gates from 7:30 in the morning to 7:30 at night, without a break.” The two health leaders said they had a very open and warm exchange, sharing perspectives and seeking support. “We found a lot of respect and recognition for the role of WHO in the global health scenario,” said Dr. Roses.

In her first visit to a regional office since being elected director-general, Dr. Chan said she is committed “to a strong WHO to move forward on health priorities for the benefit of the people.” She outlined six issues to guide the approach of WHO in the coming years: Two, she said, address fundamental health needs: development for health, scaling up support to reach Millennium Development Goals and incorporating chronic disease prevention, and security for health. “We have learned from SARS that the world needs a collective defense system to deal with new and emerging infections,” Dr. Chan said, noting that “”In the past 20 years we have seen a new disease every year and that trend will continue, so we must support the countries to build their core capacities.” Other priorities, she said, are strengthening health systems and improving evidence to shape strategies and measure results, expanding health partnerships especially in the countries, and improving accountability and transparency in the Organization.

Dr. Roses said the Region of the Americas, together with Europe and the Western Pacific regions which are polio-free have committed their support to Dr. Chan to help eradicate polio, with only four countries in the world now being polio endemic. She also said plans are underway for the 60th anniversary of WHO and the 30th anniversary of the Alma-Ata declaration on primary health care next year, with an eye toward developing proposals to strengthen health systems, including infrastructure, health workers and financing.

The WHO Director-General also held meetings in Washington with officials at the State Department, with Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt, and with World Bank and International Monetary Fund officials.

The Pan American Health Organization, founded in 1902, works with all the countries of the Americas to improve the health and quality of life of their peoples. It serves as the Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO).