HHS Secretary Welcomes Health Ministers from the Americas to the Annual Ministerial Summit of the Pan American Health Organization

September 25, 2006 - "It is clear to me that health speaks in the universal language of care, for it touches people in an immediate, tangible, and profound manner," said the Honorable Michael O. Leavitt, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), as he welcomed Ministers of Health and delegates to Washington, D.C., for the 47th Directing Council of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), from September 25 to 29, 2006. 

PAHO, established in 1902, works with all the countries of the Americas to improve the health and quality of life of their people, and functions as the Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO).  HHS Secretary Leavitt is leading the U.S. Delegation to this summit meeting on health in the Americas.

HHS Secretary Michael O. Leavitt challenged all present to work together recognize the formidable challenges of the Americas region as it faces both natural disasters and major disease outbreaks.  Concerned about the many people in the region who face daily hardships and need medical care, Secretary Leavitt urged cooperation among countries to meet these needs.   

During the opening ceremonies, delegates heard from the Director of PAHO, Mirta Roses, M.D.; Anders Nordström, M.D., Acting Director-General of the WHO; the Honorable José Miguel Insulza, Secretary-General of the Organization of American States (OAS); and the Honorable Andrew von Eschenbach, M.D., Acting Commissioner of the HHS Food and Drug Administration.  Panama’s First Lady, Mrs. Vivian Fernández de Torrijos, will speak later in the week on Disability: Prevention and Rehabilitation in the Context of the Enjoyment of the Highest Attainable Standard of Physical and Mental Health and Other Related Rights.
          

The assembled delegates, from nearly 40 nations and territories in the Hemisphere, will discuss preparing for a possible pandemic influenza, as well as plans for national and regional disaster preparedness and response.  A broad array of health issues in the Americas are on the agenda, including health promotion and new regional strategies on prevention; immunization; control of chronic diseases, including diet, physical activity and health; and a proposed plan of action on nutrition and health and development.  Neonatal health, the health of indigenous peoples, oral health, and the challenges that face health workers will also be central to the meeting.

The agenda and all documents for the 47th Directing Council are available on the PAHO website at: http://www.paho.org/english/gov/cd/cd47index-e.htm

Last revised: October 10, 2007