WHO Executive Board reappoints Dr Mirta Roses as Regional Director for the Americas
Geneva, January 24, 2008 (PAHO)—Dr Mirta Roses was reappointed as Regional Director for the Americas by the World Health Organization's Executive Board today, and will begin her second five-year term as Regional Director for the Americas after being sworn in at a Washington ceremony February 1.
In congratulating Dr Roses, WHO Director-General Margaret Chan said "I believe the people of the Americas are fortunate to have such a dedicated and articulate leader looking after their health, and above all, doing so in a way that seeks fair, equitable and sustainable solutions to comprehensive needs. That, of course, is at the heart of a primary health care approach. I look forward to close collaboration with Mirta in the years ahead."
Dr Roses thanked Executive Board members for their confidence and reaffirmed her commitment to the Region, saying "I accept this very high honor with humility, ever mindful of the values and principles that have guided, and will continue to guide, all of my actions in support of WHO policies, within the context of the priorities and needs of the countries of the Americas, served by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Throughout a century of fruitful life, PAHO has played a key role in improving the health of all the peoples of the Region. I am therefore proud to continue to head this competent, committed and supportive work team, which has contributed to these enormous achievements and is prepared to tackle the new public health challenges of today."
The WHO Executive Board is composed of 34 individuals technically qualified in the field of health, each one designated by a Member State elected to do so by the World Health Assembly. Member States are elected for three-year terms. The main functions of the Executive Board are to give effect to the decisions and policies of the Assembly, to advise it and generally facilitate its work. The current session of the Board is from Jan. 21 to 26.
Dr. Roses cited increasing cooperation between PAHO, Africa, and other regions, saying "There is a great opportunity for solidarity and cooperation within WHO's extensive family. PAHO is collaborating in global efforts to eliminate polio. Vaccination Week in the Americas, originally conceived as a sub regional initiative, has expanded and flowered and is entering its fifth year; it is now being extended to Europe, and other Regions will continue to be added until we have a World Vaccination Week. The world united for health protection!"
"As with immunization, other global challenges offer fertile ground for mutual support and solidarity to promote public health," she said. "This was the main objective of the 3x5 Initiative on HIV/AIDS, which we must continue to strengthen. The fact that the XVII International Conference on AIDS is scheduled to be held in Mexico City therefore fills us with optimism. This is the first time that the International Conference is being organized in Latin America and the Caribbean on this issue, and the theme "Universal Action Now!" is a call to redouble our common efforts to fight this pandemic.
"We must achieve the Millennium Development Goals for the families and communities that today are invisible. We must go to where they live, suffer, and dream of a better future for their children. Together, we will continue to move forward and collaborate with other countries and regions to successfully tackle global health challenges and raise the levels of well-being, peace, and development, as the most neglected and vulnerable populations expect, demand, and deserve," she added.
"I am fortunate to be able to dream of new milestones in public health, not only with the backing of Dr. Margaret Chan, WHO in general, and my fellow regional directors, but with the support and collaboration of the extraordinary team of PAHO," Dr. Roses told the Executive Board. "The experience, commitment, abilities, talent, and public service ethic of its entire staff have been and will continue to be the essential life force for meeting public health challenges at the dawn of the 21st century."
Dr Mirta Roses, from Argentina, received her medical degree from the National University of Córdoba in 1969, obtaining a diploma in public health with a concentration in epidemiology and a certificate of specialization in infectious diseases from the University of Buenos Aires. She also studied tropical medicine at Bahía State Federal University in Brazil. Her earlier work as a field epidemiologist brought her face-to-face with suffering in many parts of Latin America, from remote villages to sprawling urban slums.
Dr Roses joined PAHO/WHO in 1984 as coordinator of the Epidemiology Unit of the Caribbean Epidemiology Center in Trinidad and Tobago. She served as PAHO/WHO Representative in the Dominican Republic and in Bolivia before being named PAHO's Assistant Director in 1995. She was elected Director of PAHO in 2002, serving as the first woman to head the world's oldest international health organization.
Additional Information:
- Dr Roses' Acceptance Speech: (English) (Spanish) (Portuguese) (French)
The Pan American Health Organization, founded in 1902, works with all the countries of the Americas to improve the health and quality of life of their peoples. It serves as the Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO). For more information on Dr Mirta Roses please click here.
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