PAHO, USAID Sign New Agreement to Improve Maternal Health, Cut Infectious Disease, and Strengthen Health Systems

Washington, D.C., November 15, 2004 (PAHO)—The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) signed a new three-year $20 million regional partnership agreement to improve maternal and child health, reduce infectious disease, and strengthen health systems.

The grant agreement was signed by PAHO Director Dr. Mirta Roses Periago and Mr. Adolfo Franco, USAID Assistant Administrator for Latin America and the Caribbean.

As part of the grant agreement, USAID will contribute $4.168 million during the first year and an estimated $12 million over the three-year period. PAHO’s contribution will be about $8.1 million over the three-year period.

The agreement will focus on improved maternal and child health, decreasing infectious diseases, and integrating and strengthening health systems.

In maternal and child health PAHO and USAID will work at the policy level to devote additional attention and resources to reduce maternal mortality; prevent and treat post-partum hemorrhage, the single largest killer of pregnant women; increase the number and quality of skilled birth attendants to reduce maternal mortality, and focus on decreasing mortality among newborns.

In the area of infectious disease, the PAHO-USAID partnership will focus on stemming the tide of increasing resistance to commonly used drugs by examining drug quality, prescriber practices, and consumer drug practices in the Andean region; promoting rational pharmaceutical use, and building capacity among health workers to treat tuberculosis and malaria.

To integrate and strengthen health systems, PAHO and USAID will improve public health capacities, improve the management and administration of health services, foster linkages with other sectors, and analyze the effectiveness of health information systems to support public health management and administration.

The partnership—for the 2004-2007 period—will support PAHO’s program of work and budget approved by its Member States, facilitate collaboration among PAHO programs, and leverage PAHO's other resources, while contributing to USAID’s Strategic Objectives and Intermediate Results.

PAHO was established in 1902 and is the world's oldest public health organization. PAHO works with all the countries of the Americas to improve the health and the quality of life of people of the Americas. It serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO). PAHO Member States today 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. Portugal and Spain are Observer States, and Puerto Rico is an Associate Member.

The U.S. Agency for International Development is the lead agency for the U.S. Government providing economic development and humanitarian assistance to people around the world. By creating the conditions to help countries move from poverty to prosperity, USAID serves both the American public and millions of people living in countries in development and transition.