Reprinted from Caribbean Net News
caribbeannetnews.com

PAHO and European Commission launch partnership to aid Haiti, Guyana
12-11-2006

WASHINGTON, USA (PAHO): The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has launched a partnership to help alleviate poverty in Haiti and Guyana, as part of a partnership between the European Commission and the World Health Organization aimed at achieving Millennium Development Goals in health.

Dr Mirta Roses, Director of PAHO, said "This initiative will focus on making pregnancy safer, reducing the major burden of diseases like HIV and malaria, and working together as part of the poverty reduction strategy. It will be also a great opportunity for sharing experiences and developing mutual support between all countries benefited from this partnership."

Angelos Pangratis, Deputy Head of Delegation of the European Commission in Washington, said the commission "is extremely happy to see the development of this very important project for Haiti and Guyana. There is an important commitment in Brussels to develop this cooperation and the assistance of PAHO and WHO is a strategic issue for our institution. We see it as a first step of a longer commitment to work together."

The partnership includes 6 African countries in addition to Haiti and Guyana, and totals 23.9 million Euros over 4 years. For Guyana, the amount set aside is $1.9 million, and for Haiti it is $1 million.

Haiti's Ambassador to the OAS, Duly Brutus, said, "I want to thank the EU for this initiative. We have a government of consensus and we will be able to use this to fight poverty."

From Haiti, where PAHO's Assistant Director, Dr Carissa Etienne, is leading a mission of the managers of the technical areas as part of PAHO intensified cooperation with Haiti, PAHO/WHO Representative Beatrice Bonnevaux also thanked the European Commission, saying this is a very positive development, given the tremendous needs and opportunities in Haiti.

WHO Assistant Director-General Dr Joy Phumaphi, who participated from Geneva via teleconference, said "We look forward to making this very important project a success, and ensuring that we engage these communities fully."

Expected results of the partnership in the eight countries include ministries of health and finance jointly working on the role of health in development and poverty reduction, increases availability of skilled care for mothers and newborns, and better coordination on epidemic outbreaks through strengthened disease surveillance systems. The countries will also improve their health information systems, and some activities will be carried out at WHO headquarters in Geneva, PAHO headquarters in Washington, and the African regional office in Brazzaville.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) was established in 1902 and is the world's oldest public health organization. It serves as the regional office of the World Health Organization, and works with all the countries of the Americas to improve the health and quality of life of their peoples.