JUL 16, 2021 —- By Sheena Forde-Craigg
A warm welcome and best wishes in his new post were the sentiments extended to Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Sub-Regional Program Director, Dean Chambliss.
Extending those greetings was Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Dr. Jerome Walcott, during a courtesy call, this morning at the Ministry’s headquarters.
Mr. Chambliss joined PAHO’s office in Barbados on May 24, and said he was keen on elevating the work of his organisation in the region.
He acknowledged Barbados’ push for regional integration mechanisms, stating: “PAHO, especially on the health side, is extremely appreciative of this and recognises that [impetus].”
During their meeting, the two officials discussed varied topics including: the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA); the COVID-19 pandemic; COVAX’s facilitation of vaccines; PAHO’s revolving fund for procurement of vaccines; the sustainable health agenda; non-communicable diseases and antimicrobial resistance.
PAHO was founded in 1902 and is the world’s oldest international public health agency. It serves as the Regional Office of the World Health Organization for the Americas, and seeks to improve the health and quality of life of persons living in the Americas.
Its Sub-Regional Program is responsible for providing technical cooperation and strengthening PAHO’s engagement with the Caribbean Sub-regional integration mechanisms, CARICOM and its various bodies and organs; and building synergistic partnerships with the sub-regional institutions, such as CARPHA and the University of the West Indies, among others.
By Sheena Forde-Craigg — BGIS
