On Saturday May 17,2013, World Hypertension Day will be celebrated under the theme: “Healthy Blood Pressure – Healthy Heart Beat”.   This reinforces the fact that having a sustained high blood pressure level can cause damage to heart muscles, and in time, lead to an abnormal heart beat and weakened heart. This theme fits well with plans by the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) to maintain attention on hypertension throughout this year, and builds on the World Health Day, (April 7^th) 2013 theme of “Hypertension – Know Your Numbers”.     

PAHO Director Carissa F. Etienne is in Barbados this week (April 8–12) for her first official visit to the country. She is scheduled to meet with high-level officials including Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, Minister of Health John David Boyce, Governor General Elliot Belgrave, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Maxine McClean.

She also plans to meet with Leader of the Opposition Mia Mottley and British High Commissioner Paul Brummell.

The meetings will focus on issues including major health challenges facing Barbados and other Eastern Caribbean countries and ways PAHO/WHO’s technical cooperation can help address them.

[Dr. Ernest Pate - Caribbean Program Coordinator, PAHO/WHO, Dr. Merle Lewis - PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries and U.S Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries His Excellency Larry L. Palmer]

March 21, 2013 - The Barbados Offices of the Pan American Health Organization and the Regional Office of the World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) hosted the US Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries, his Excellency Larry L. Palmer, to a courtesy visit.