Pan American Sanitary Conference Opens with Summons To Strengthen the Struggle against AIDS In The Region

Washington, September 23, 2002 (PAHO) - The 26th Pan American Sanitary Conference, which brings together all Ministers of Health of the Americas, opened today at the headquarters of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) here with a summons to strengthen the fight against AIDS in the region.

Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), pointed out the importance of investing in health and the urgent need for all countries to get involved more actively in the fight against the AIDS epidemic.

Both Brundtland and Tommy Thompson, secretary of Health and Human Services of the U.S., said more programs for AIDS prevention are necessary in Latin America and the Caribbean, along with increased access to drugs for AIDS treatment.

Thompson and Brundtland also talked about the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the U.S. "Within days of that outrage we saw signs of powerful solidarity - both in the region and globally. Over time we have seen how those tragic events shaped so much of what has happened in subsequent months," Brundtland said. "Global interdependence has become even clearer. We have become aware of the potential for threats to health used deliberately, to cause alarm, provoke suffering and undermine our security."

She said WHO has worked with countries "to examine the possible public health consequences of incidents due to biological, chemical and radio-nuclear material. We have all recognized the importance of sharing information, better surveillance, and preparedness. We have acted together."

The WHO director pointed out progress in the creation of the Global Fund against AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria and the importance of continuing to fight against smoking, dengue and environmental problems that cause disease in children.

Noting that 1.6 million people died in the year 2000 as a result of violence and millions more were scarred for life, she said, "We need to break the silence and confront violence - now."

PAHO's Member States are meeting Sept. 23-27 for the Pan American Sanitary Conference, a policy-setting governing body composed of Ministers of Health from all its member countries. They received new reports on the state of health in the Americas today, and will discuss a series of topics including health and aging, AIDS, vaccines and immunization, chronic diseases, and childhood illnesses, among others. They will also elect a new director of PAHO.

Thompson said important issues in the region include a focus in investments in health and education and the critical role of parents and families in the health of children. Others are using the Global Fund to provide innovative ways of fighting HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, and prevention of mother to child HIV transmission.

He cited the achievements in health in the Americas over the past century of PAHO's existence, saying that "PAHO has been, and remains, my country's steadfast partner in advancing science and improving public health. We're so very grateful for all PAHO has done to improve the health and well-being of everyone in our hemisphere."

PAHO, which also serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization, was established in 1902. PAHO Member States include all 35 countries in the Americas. France, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland are Participating States. PAHO is celebrating 100 years of work with all the countries of the Americas to improve the health and raise the living standards of their peoples.

For more information, b-roll and photographs please contact: Daniel Epstein, Office of Public Information, (202) 974-3459, e-mail: epsteind@paho.org.