Dominican Republic launched the centennial celebrations!

On February 20, during the opening session of the National Primary Care Forum titled, Primary Care: a Response to the Reform Challenge and the Struggle Against Poverty, the PAHO centennial celebrations were launched.

The opening session was presided over by the President of the Republic, Mr. Hipólito Mejía, and the First Lady, Mrs. Rosa Gómez de Mejía. On the dais with the President and First Lady were PAHO's Director, Dr. George Alleyne, Secretary of Public Health, Dr. José Rodríguez Soldevila, Presidential Administrative Secretary, Mr. Sergio Grullón, PAHO/WHO Representative, Dr. Socorro Gross, and the Director of the Dominican Institute of Social Security, Dr. William Jana. During the session, Dr. Alleyne was presented with the Order of Christopher Columbus in recognition of the service of the organization to the unity and development of the people of the Americas.

A panel took place during the forum with the participation of international guests such as, Dr. Bernardo Kliksberg, Coordinator of the Inter-American Institute for the Social Development (IN/IDB) and Dr. Jorge Castellanos Robayo, Ex-staff member of the Pan American Health Organization and currently Professor of del Valle University.