 
El Salvador - Plans for Centennial Celebrations
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On December 2 it was celebrated PAHO's anniversary with a ceremony honoring 25 national Public Health Heroes for their contributions to public health in their country.
On October 18, 2002, the Postal Service of El Salvador (Dirección General de Correos de El Salvador) launched a commemorative stamp honoring the world's oldest international public health agency.| Name | Country of Origin | Period |
| Dr. Antonio Mena | Paraguay | 1967-1970 |
| Dr. Victor Valverde | Peru | 1970-1976 |
| Dr. Luis Cervantes | Mexico | 1976-1981 |
| Dr. Ovidio Beltran | Venezuela | 1981-1983 |
| Dr. Raul Paredes | Guatemala | 1983-1987 |
| Dr. Raul Penna Melo | Argentina | 1987-1989 |
| Dr. Luis Octavio Angel | Guatemala | 1990-1993 |
| Dr. Hugo Villegas | Peru | 1993-1994 |
| Dr. Gustavo Mora | Colombia | 1994-1998 |
| Dr. Horacio Toro | Bolivia | 1999 to today |
Photos from the event:
 The Minister of Health, Dr. Jose Francisco Lopez Beltan, cut the ribbon at the opening of the gallery |
 View of the gallery of PAHO Representatives |
 PAHO Representative, Dr. Horacio Toro, addresses the participants of the opening ceremony |
 The Minister of Health, Dr. Jose Francisco Lopez Beltan, appreciates the gallery |
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On August 16, 2002, the book "Villa Centenario OPS. Crónica de Vivienda Saludable ante un Desastre", was launched. In attendance were the Minister of Health, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Vice Minister of Housing and Urban Development, the Vice Minister of Health, the Governor of Sonsonate, the Mayor of Acajutla, PAHO/WHO Representative in El Salvador, and nearly 300 participants from the health sector, United Nations agencies, and NGOs, among others.
During the event the PAHO/WHO Representative, Dr. Horacio Toro, presented the contents of the book, in addition to speeches by the Vice Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Mr. César Alvarado, and the Minister of Health, Dr. José Francisco López Beltrán.
A copy of the book was given to each participant.
"High"Tribute!
The Basic Comprehensive Health System (SIBASI) of San Ignacio, municipality bordering Honduras, pays tribute to PAHO in the year of its centennial.
Photos from the event:
 At the top, the PAHO/WHO Representative, Dr. Horacio Toro, SIBASI Manager, Dr. Juan Santos, and PAHO staff displaying the PAHO flag. |
 Going up the hill. Cerro El Pital is located in the republic of El Salvador, 10 kilometers to the east of San Ignacio in the department of Chalatenango and 80 kilometers from the capital, San Salvador. It has an elevation of 2,731 meters over sea level. The climate is fresh and pleasant with clouds surpassing the trees and mountains. |
Journalism Award in Public Health El Salvador 2002
On July 19, the PAHO country office in El Salvador presented an award for "best article in public health 2002" to Javier Ramón of El Diario de Hoy. Mr. Ramón will represent El Salvador in the Pan American Journalism Awards, organized by PAHO headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Ramón's article, "Josué first steps," illustrates the problem of popular faith in traditional healers. The story focuses on the Medrano family and their child Josué, who suffers paralysis in both arms and legs, as well as losing his vision after his mother takes him to a healer.
An honorary mention was given to journalist Ena Rivas, of La Prensa Gráfica, for her article "Deliveries that Kill."
Dr. Horacio Toro, PAHO/WHO Representative in El Salvador, presented the awards and urged journalists to continue publishing articles that raise awareness and help "all the citizens of this country to exercise the right to health."
During the event, certificates of recognition were presented to all the journalists who participated in the journalism contest. Eleven articles were entered in the contest.
Photos from the event:
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Legislative Assembly recognizes outstanding work of PAHO
On July 18, 2002, El Salvador's Legislative Assembly honored PAHO as Most Meritorious Institution, for its outstanding work in the health sector in the Americas and El Salvador during its 100 years of existence. Present at the event were the minister of health, the dean of the University of El Salvador, the chairman of the Public Health High Council, representatives of United Nations agencies, and the members of the PAHO National Celebrations Committee, among others.
Climbing of Santa Ana volcano celebrates World Health Day, PAHO Centennial
 PAHO staff and staff from other agencies at the beginning of the adventure. The Santa Ana volcano is in the background. |
 Going up the volcano. |
 On the rim of the volcano's crater, PAHO/WHO Representative in El Salvador, Dr. Horacio Toro, accompanied by 2 national guard officers. |
 Some PAHO staff hiking on the rim of the volcano's crater. |
 The volcano's crater, emitting some gases. The volcano is, approximately, 7,546 feet above sea level. |
 PAHO staff hiking the rim of the volcano's crater. |
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| At the top, PAHO staff and the PAHO/WHO Representative displaying the World Health Day 2002 banner and the PAHO flag. | |
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100 Families Have a New Home in Villa Centenario
In El Salvador, the high point of centennial activities to date was the April 18 inauguration of Villa Centenario, the "healthy housing" project that honors PAHO's centennial and benefits 100 families left homeless by the earthquakes of 2001. Salvadoran President Francisco Flores spoke at the inaugural ceremony, thanking PAHO for its support of "this new concept of local development, which will surely be an example to follow." PAHO Assistant Director Dr. Mirta Roses was also on hand for the event, which drew an estimated 1,000 observers.
El Salvador launched the celebrations of the Centennial!
On February 15th, the PAHO Representation in El Salvador begun its celebrations of the centennial with the participation of the National Celebrations Committee. The following officials are represented on the committee:
- Minister and Vice Minister of Health
- Chairman of the Superior Public Health Council
- Chairman of the Medical School
- Dean of the University of El Salvador
- Representatives of the Legislative Assembly
- Retirees
- UNDP Representative
- SICA Representative
- PAHO Staff Association
Other developments:
Initiative that welcomes the Pan American Health Organization Centennial year - January 2002
Vivisal 1902 is one of 100 houses to be built as part of PAHO's Villa Centenario, an initiative to provide housing and health services for a rural zone that was devastated by earthquakes that struck El Salvador last January and February. (2001) The project is being carried out by PAHO, El Salvador's Ministry of Health, the Vice Ministry of Housing, and the municipality of Acajutla, Department of Sonsonate. Additional funding has been provided by the governments of Bahamas, Canada, Italy, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
The 6.3 hectare pilot project combines simple, easy-to-construct housing units with basic sanitary services and environmental protection, and will include a sports field, community center, mill, bakery, child care center, and communal farmland. In honor of PAHO's centennial, the 100 houses will be numbered from 1902 to 2002.
Please visit www.els.ops-oms.org for the latest information.