HHS Secretary Leavitt, at World Health Day session, outlines U.S. commitment to health in Latin America
Washington, D.C., April 2, 2007 (PAHO)—The United States is committed to advancing social justice and investing in health in the Americas, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Michael Leavitt said this week at a World Health Day observance at the Pan American Health Organization.
PAHO Director Dr. Mirta Roses, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Michael Leavitt, and PAHO Deputy Director Dr. Cristina Beato.
"My part in this effort is improving the region's health care, especially in rural areas. That is why I am here today. The U.S. Government invests millions of dollars each year in health programs in Latin American. Since 2001, the United States has spent almost $1 billion on health programs in the region. Health care is a universal language - a language of caring," Leavitt said.
PAHO held a series of activities this week centered on World Health Day, which focuses on health security for 2007. World Health Day is held annually on April 7 to mark the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization.
World Health Day's focus on new and existing diseases reflects "one of the most vital concerns of our times: How can we stay safe in a globalized world, where diseases can spread from one continent to another in mere hours?" said Dr. Mirta Roses, Director of PAHO, who welcomed Leavitt to the observance.
"The theme for this year's World Health Day is "Invest in Health, Build a Safer Future." I can assure you that that is just what we in the United States are doing," Leavitt said, noting that "President Bush's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief is the largest commitment ever by any nation for an international health initiative to combat a single disease," providing $15 billion to fund a five-year struggle against AIDS around the world.
"President Bush has also pledged to boost funding to fight malaria worldwide by more than $1.2 billion. Our goal is to reduce deaths due to malaria by 50 percent in 15 African countries," Leavitt said, adding that the U.S. has provided $10 million to the World Health Organization to help developing countries produce more influenza vaccine.
"Responding to a pandemic will demand the cooperation of the entire world community. No nation can go it alone," Leavitt said, noting that the 50-year-old WHO Global Influenza Surveillance Network provides the world with early warning of evolving flu viruses. "All nations therefore have a responsibility to share data and virus samples," he noted.
PAHO activities April 2 and 3 included a panel on "Threats to Health Know No Borders," focusing on the economic impact of emerging and re-emerging diseases, the communication challenges of emerging epidemics, and a case study by Dr. David Butler-Jones of the Public Health Agency of Canada of how SARS affected the health care system and economy of Canada.
Participants discussed the newly revised and broadened International Health Regulations due to come into force in. June, which require countries to maintain surveillance and response capacities that allow them to detect, assess, and report important public health events, and to intervene with public health measures. "They are also encouraged to share information in a transparent way and to collaborate in solidarity among countries," Dr. Roses said.
In his remarks to the audience at PAHO, Leavitt also detailed the U.S. commitment to help countries in the Western Hemisphere "Build Governments that are fair, effective, and free of corruption, maintain economies that make it possible for workers to provide for their families, (and) meet basic needs for education, housing, and health care."
He said new efforts will focus on increasing direct patient care by U.S. personnel, improving training for local health workers, and "forging partnerships of public and private groups to provide more and better health care."
Leavitt added, "The President is sending the U-S-N-S Comfort - a Navy medical ship - to Latin America and the Caribbean. The Comfort will make port calls in 12 countries. Its doctors, nurses, and technicians expect to treat 85,000 patients - and conduct up to 1,500 surgeries."
He also said the U.S. is working with local officials to start a Regional Training Center in Panamá to train health-care workers including "community health workers, sub-physicians, sub nurses, technicians, midwives, and dental hygienists. Once trained, they will work alongside local professionals to provide basic care in rural areas and poor neighborhoods. The Government of Panamá is our strong partner and host in this project, and I am grateful for the help of Minister of Health Camilo Alleyne, who traveled with me in the region."
Related Links
- World Health Day 2007 (PAHO)
- World Health Day (WHO)
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).
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