Barbados PM Mia Mottley meets PAHO Director Dr Jarbas Barbosa, discusses health-related topics

Bridgetown, Barbados: Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley, met with the Director of Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), Dr Jarbas Barbosa on June 12, 2023. The meeting was held during the official visit of the PAHO Director to the Caribbean nation.

The meeting was focused on the discussion of important topics, including the urgent need to safeguard health in the Caribbean region along with promoting economic and social development.

Dr Barbosa stated, “As we begin to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, I look forward to continued collaboration with Barbados, and the Caribbean as a whole, to rebuild stronger, more resilient health care systems.”

PM Mottley took advantage of the meeting and extended thanks to the PAHO Director for constant support and collaboration with the authorities of the country. As per the Prime Minister, major areas of collaboration were the primary healthcare sector, anti-microbial resistance, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), vaccine equity and resilient health systems.

In addition to this, the Director of the Pan American Health Organisation also held a discussion regarding the resilience and recovery of the healthcare system.

Along with the Prime Minister of Barbados, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Kerrie D Symmonds also met with PAHO Director Barbosa. Both ministers interacted about the significance of the countries in the Americas to engage in the debates regarding future pandemics.

It was reported that Dr Barbosa will participate in the meeting inauguration with the Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Amor Mottley.

As per the tour schedule of Dr Barbosa, during the official visit, she will also meet the delegation of the European Union Head and the British High Commissioner. Director Barbosa will also tour Sir Winston Scott Polyclinic and the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory.

Dr Jarbas Barbosa also participated in the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Ministerial Conference on NCDs and mental health, which will be taking place in Bridgetown from June 14 to June 16.