Cuba - Plans for Centennial Celebrations

Event Commemorates PAHO Centennial

On December 2 an event took place at PAHO's country office, which included the unveiling of a commemorative plaque, the launching of a PAHO 100 postal stamp and the presentation of a special publication for the centennial. On December 3, as part of the Latin American Day of Medicine, 25 Cuban health professionals were named Outstanding Public Health Individuals, and the people of Cuba and president Fidel Castro were awarded a special PAHO Diploma of Recognition for the country's achievements in public health. Among other centennial activities, 14 towns were named PAHO Centennial Municipalities for their efforts to promote health and equity of life.

PAHO Centennial Activities in Schools

In a collaboration between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health, PAHO Centennial is being celebrated through a series of community and student activities. These photos show some of these activities, which will be held throughout 2002.

For the 100th birthday of PAHO

The 2002 International Convention on Public Health in Havana brought together delegates from 20 countries. Dr. George Alleyne, Director of the Pan American Health Organization, participated in a special opening plenary session in honor of the centennial of the organization.

In his speech, "One Hundred Years of Solidarity," Dr. Alleyne emphasized the indissoluble ties that united Cuba with the organization and evoked the Cuban scientist Carlos J. Finlay, who, because of his reputation, was made one of the five members of the organizing committee created by the First General International Sanitary Convention of the American Republics in 1902 that recommended the composition of the International Sanitary Bureau.

At the beginning of the session the book "Commemorating 100 Years of Health," written by professor Gregorio Delgado, historian of the Ministry of Public Health, with a prologue by Dr. Patricio Yépez, representative of PAHO in Cuba, was presented. The book takes the reader on a journey through the important events in the history of public health worldwide and, in particular, through the history of various agencies concerned with public health.

Cuba launched the celebrations of the Centennial!

On March 11, in the Government Room of Old Havana, the centennial celebrations began in Cuba. The kick-off was presided over by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In attendance were the President of the Academy of Sciences, the City Historian, the Minister of Public Health, Public Health Hero of the Americas Dr. José Jordan, Dr. Gustavo Kouri, General Director of the Pedro Kouri Institute of Tropical Medicine and Centennial Advisory Committee member, the Coordinator of the United Nations System, the media and members of the PAHO representation staff.

Other developments:

The National Committee has been organized and the organizing committee is being put together. The work plan includes the following activities:

• Publication of an historical booklet on PAHOs work in the country.
• Coordinate a press conference to provide information about PAHO and the celebration for all medial outlets.
• A web page that would provide the history of PAHO in the Americas and a brief resume of all of the activities.
• Hold a gala celebration on World Health Day 2002 that will take place in one of Cubas important sites depending upon availability on that date.
• Issue a commemorative stamp, announced in a solemn official ceremony.
• Distribution of PAHO video to national TV stations.
• Preparation and distribution of a TV spot on the importance of PAHOs role in Cuba.
• Organize drawing contests for young school children based on the theme for the centennial.
• Produce promotional materials such as t-shirts, key chains and caps.
• Hold a reception on December 2, 2002.

Activities Update:

• Centennial related designs for postage stamps and bookmarks have been prepared.
• They have asked the telephone company to record a telephone message with a centennial theme.
• Currently coordinating activities with the Cultural Ministry and with the National Sports Institute.
• They are coordinating a gala celebration for the 2 December at the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales in the historic Old City.
• The public health historian from the PAHO office is working on compiling and publishing a history of PAHO's work in Cuba before 2000.
• They are coordinating with the office of the City Historian in the Old City Historical office to develop an art competition for disabled children.
• Currently coordinating activities with the Cultural Ministry and with the National Sports Institute.
• The International Public Health Convention, May 1-5, 2002, in Havana at the Palacio de las Convenciones has been designated as an official Centennial Meeting. During that convention, special centennial events will take place: a commemorative session for the Centennial, a meeting of all of the Public Health Associations of the Americas, and a workshop on the experiences and development of local health promotion. There will be many other important events happening at this meeting.
• Dr. George Alleyne, PAHO Director, will attend.
• The Ministry of Education has pledged its support of the PAHO Centennial through a series of community and student activities to be coordinated throughout 2002 in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.

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