PAHO/WHO Representative Visits Bermuda

Mr Ian Stein (front right) poses with key members of the Ministry of Health

Hamilton, Bermuda, June 7, 2022 - Mr. Ian Stein, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to Jamaica, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands, wrapped up a two-day visit to Bermuda, to reengage partnerships impacted during the pandemic and bolster local public health initiatives.

The visit included meetings with the Hon. Kim N. Wilson, Minister of Health, key leaders in the health ministry and members of the PAHO/WHO Country office in Jamaica. He also received tours of the Bermuda Hospital Board and Hamilton Health Clinic.  

"The meetings over the past two days with the Ministry of Health and Wellness are essential for charting our support to the Government of Bermuda in the 2022/2023 biennial. Based on the discussion, we look forward to working closely on several priorities including financing strategies for Universal Health, enhancing capacity for emergency preparedness and response, the national cancer plan, and the recertification of the elimination of mother‐to‐child transmission of HIV/Syphilis," shared Mr. Ian Stein, PAHO/WHO Representative to Bermuda.

He continued, "Let me take a moment to commend the Government of Bermuda and its Ministry of Health on their sustained promotion of the COVID-19 vaccine. We recognize you as a vanguard in our region for surpassing the WHO goal of fully vaccinating 70% of your population ahead of the June 30 target."

Minister Wilson said of the visit: “I am very happy to have welcomed Mr. Stein to the Island as he familiarises himself with the three regional countries under his PAHO/WHO remit.

“We were also keen to provide him with insight to Bermuda’s successful COVID-19 vaccination programme which has surpassed the World Health Organization’s goal of 70 percent immunization of a population ahead of the June 30th target.

“We were pleased to have been recognized as a vanguard for this region in this regard.”

The Pan American Health Organization is a global public health agency with a mission to improve the wellbeing and standard of living of the people who reside in the Americas.