Celebration by Country

Belize - Plans for Centennial Celebrations

 [NEW!] Belize Celebrates 100th Anniversary of PAHO

 Centennial Cake The Centennial year of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) culminated on Monday 2 December 2002 with an Official Ceremony and an Open House which highlighted the work of PAHO that has been so crucial to the improvement of health throughout the years in Belize and the Americas. It started operating in Belize in the 1950’s.

 Shot of the audience Some eighteen "Heroes of Health" were honored during the ceremony. Among those were thirteen individuals, including four posthumously, for the outstanding contributions they have made to health in Belize. The other five awards went to institutions that have likewise contributed significantly to health improvement in this country. Other individuals were similarly honored.

The Health in the Americas, 2002 Edition and The Public Health in the Americas were also launched as a part of this ceremony. Health in the Americas is a one-of-a-kind reference which provides as overall analysis of health and health related trends for the region of the Americas. It includes an analysis of indicators and determinants of health, ranging from mortality and changes in life expectancy to the impact that income-level and income-distribution inequalities have on the population's health. It also includes the most up-to-date health situation analysis for each of the 48 countries and territories of the Americas, including Belize. This is a product of a region wide analytical effort that is conducted using a common framework that includes an analysis of overall health status, specific health problems, and the response of health systems and services.

The Open House included several informational booths on PAHO's Technical Cooperation Program, the virtual health library and the textbooks and medical instruments program. The public was invited to the open house which ran from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on December 2, 2002 at the PAHO/WHO Office grounds.


Presentation on Bioethics Part of the Centennial Celebrations

On July 4, 2002, the PAHO/WHO Representation in Belize invited the public to an academic presentation:"Health, Bioethics, and Patient's Rights: Promoting access to Quality Health Care", at the Radisson Fort George Hotel, as part of the centennial celebrations.

A guest speaker, Dr. Victor Penchaszadeh, delivered the presentation.

Dr. Victor Penchaszadeh is a Professor of Pediatrics at Albert Einstein School of Medicine, in New York and a Member of the Board of Directors of the Physicians for Human Rights organization, in Boston. He is also a member of the National Institute for Human Genoma Research, the National Housing Institute (NHI) and the International Human Rights Committee of the American Public Health Association.

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Dr. Victor Penchaszadeh, speaker, Dr. Graciela Uriburu, PAHO/WHO Representative in Belize and the Hon. Jose Coye, Minister of Health.


Hike Bike and Fun Run April 6, 2002

As part of the World Health Day celebrations and in accordance with PAHO/WHO Promotion of healthy lifestyles, a Hike Bike and Fun Run event was scheduled for April 6 2002 for people of all ages. This event and other health promotion activities throughout the year will focus on healthy lifestyles in the context of the Centennial Celebrations.


Images From the Centennial Celebrations

 Baloons
PWR Belize Staff blowing
up balloons for the
Launching of Centennial.
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Release of 100 balloons
for Launching of the
Centennial in Belize
(April 5th 2002)
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Release of 100 balloons
for Launching of the
Centennial in Belize
(April 5th 2002)

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Participants and PWR
Belize at Int. Women's
Day Symposium in Belize
City.( March 8 2002)
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PAHO Belize Staff at a
Health Fair Booth.
(Opening of International
Women's Week)
 Baloons
International Women's
Day Symposium in Belize
City. (March 8 2002)

 Fun Run
Left, Center: Hike Bike
Fun Run on
April 6 2002,
WORLD HEALTH DAY.
 Fun Run
Right: Belizean Woman
at Hike Bike Fun Run on
April 6 2002,
WORLD HEALTH DAY.
 Fun Run

Other developments:

PAHO Belize launched Centennial on April 5, 2002

On April 5 2002, the PAHO Representation in Belize in collaboration with the Ministry of Health officially launched its Centennial Activities at a National Health Media and Public Open Day, which is a public awareness activity. This countrywide event was in observance of World Health Day (April 7 2002), and showcased the outstanding achievements of PAHO/WHO in Belize and the rest of the Americas.

Throughout the day various departments in the Ministry, Non-governmental organizations working in the health sector and PAHO, mounted displays demonstrating their role in improving the health of the country. In an official ceremony in Belize City, awards were given to health officials who have contributed significantly to the public health system in the country. The Ministry of Health and the PAHO/WHO Representative in Belize highlighted the ceremony with official speeches.

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