During her official visit, Dr. Carissa F. Etienne signed agreements with Brazil's Ministry of Health to improve basic care and health management
Brasilia, March 13, 2018 (PAHO / WHO) - The President of the Republic of Brazil, Michel Temer, and the country's Minister of Health, Ricardo Barros, presented the Oswaldo Cruz Medal of Merit, in the gold category, to the Director of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization, Carissa F. Etienne, during a meeting on March 12 at the Planalto Palace.
The award, inspired by Oswaldo Cruz, one of the most recognized scientists and health specialists in Brazil, recognizes the services provided by Etienne to public health in Brazil. "I accept this medal with humility. I recognize that my contributions to improving public health are built on the work of those who preceded me," said Etienne. At the meeting between Etienne and Temer, and the health authorities of Brazil, they discussed the country's health issues and collaboration with PAHO/WHO.
On the following day, the Ministry of Health of Brazil, the Ministry of Public Health of Pará, and PAHO/WHO signed agreements to improve basic care and health management. The Brazilian Minister of Health, Ricardo Barros, met with PAHO’s Director at the Pan American Health Organization’s headquarters in Brazil to review these agreements. Vitor Manuel Mateus, Secretary of Public Health of the State of Pará, also participated in that March 13 meeting.
One of the documents extends until April 2023 the Technical Cooperation Terms of the temporary mobilization of doctors from Cuba for the Mais Médicos Program in Brazil. The agreement also provides for the professional qualification of doctors, the national and international exchange of knowledge and innovative experiences for basic health care, and the monitoring and evaluation of the results and impacts of the program, among other initiatives to expand access to primary health care for the Brazilian population.
"The Mais Médicos Program has revolutionized access to health care in Brazil, and PAHO was fortunate to be part of that experience, ensuring that we can bring better health care with high levels of satisfaction and acceptance from the population. Mais Médicos is also an example of best practices that can be taught to other countries," said the director of PAHO/WHO.
The other signed document concerns strengthening the management capacity of the Unified Health System (UHS) in Pará. Among the established objectives were improving the network for attention to sexually transmitted infections; conducting training with emphasis on health monitoring, analysis, and evaluation; expanding laboratory capacity in the state of Pará; and promoting the exchange of inter-municipal, inter-State and inter-country experiences in the Americas.
PAHO’s Director highlighted the importance of working with subnational institutions to ensure that health services reach all populations. "I thank the Secretary of Health of Pará for the opportunity to cooperate technically with you. We share the vision that all populations can benefit from good health and well-being," said Etienne.
Cooperation Terms
The Technical Cooperation Terms facilitate activities that contribute to achieving results in health at national and international levels. Joint management between PAHO/WHO and national, state, and municipal authorities facilitates the dissemination of information, the sharing of experiences, the guarantee of transparency in management and in results of technical cooperation, as well as the rationalization of the use and distribution of resources in the execution of activities. The validity of a TC begins from the date of its signature and may last for five years, and the period may be extended.
