Saint Lucia at 60th Directing Council of PAHO

Saint Lucia’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Sharon Belmar-George, is representing Saint Lucia at the 60th Directing Council of the Pan American Health Organization, taking place in Washington DC from September 25-29, 2023.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) in charge of international health cooperation in America.

According to Minister of Health and Wellness– Saint Lucia is developing a new strategic plan to expand health coverage to all their people through a health collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization.

It has rolled out electronic health records systems to 32 health centres that include syndromic surveillance and immunization records.

Opening session- Directing Council of the Pan American Health Organization:

The opening session of the 60th Directing Council took place on 25th September with presentations by Honourable Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyus, who is serving as the Director General of the ‘World Health Organisation’ (WHO). Assistant Secretary General of the Organisation of American States (OAS), Honourable Mr. Nestor Mendez also being there as a part of this session. They were accompanied by the Director of the Pan American Sanitary Bureau, Honourable Dr Jarbas Barbosa DA Silva, among others.

Key takeaways of the event:

Various policy and recommendation documents were being reviewed during the five- days of the council. The prime focus was given to the following policies or recommendations:

1. Policy on Health Workforce.
2. Policy on prevention and control of non-communicable diseases in children.
3. Adolescents and young adults.
4. Strategies for improving mental health.
5. Suicide prevention.

Contribution- Dr. Sharon Belmar George:

Sharon Belmar George, who is serving as a Chief Medical Officer- Saint Lucia, actively participated in the sessions of the council. He offered multiple presentations on behalf of Saint Lucia.

Belmar-George said, “She looked forward to the implementation of those policies and programmes in Saint Lucia, with the continued support of PAHO towards the improvement of the island’s health care system”.

Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is the world’s oldest international public health agency, founded in 1902. It promotes technical cooperation between countries and works in partnership with the following:

Promotes technical cooperation between countries and works in partnership with ministries of health and other government agencies, civil society organizations, other international agencies, universities, social security agencies, community groups, and other partners.

PAHO encourage public policies in every sector related to health to ensure that people will have long and healthy lives, with good health as their most valuable resource.