Health emergencies and cervical cancer elimination among priority issues during PAHO Director’s official visit to European Union and Spain – PAHO/WHO
Brussels, Belgium/Madrid, Spain, October 17, 2024 (PAHO) – Strengthening collaboration on issues such as prevention, preparedness and response to emergencies, the elimination of cervical cancer and the regional production of medicines and health technologies, was the main focus of PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa’s official visits to Belgium and Spain this week.
From October 14 to 15, Dr. Barbosa met with high-level officials of the European Union, including members of the European Parliament, Laurent Muschel, Acting Director General of the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority of the European Commission , and Feliz Fernández-Shaw. , Director for Latin America, the Caribbean and Relations with all Overseas Countries and Territories of the Directorate General of International Associations of the European Commission (DG INTPA).
Dr. Barbosa highlighted PAHO’s work for more than a century in prevention, preparedness and response to emergencies, and the importance of regional collaboration to strengthen the organization’s support to countries.
“The Region of the Americas has been disproportionately affected by epidemics and pandemics in recent decades, with devastating consequences for health systems, economies and communities,” said the PAHO Director.
«There are important opportunities to strengthen our collaboration around these common challenges and we appreciate the valuable collaboration of the European Union, which has been key to advancing regional health priorities,» including the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, health systems climate-resilient health care and the fight against antimicrobials. resistance, ensure the health of migrants and strengthen regional regulatory and productive capacities, among other priority issues.
Dr. Barbosa continued his official visit to Spain on October 16 and 17. While in Madrid, the PAHO Director met with Dr. Mónica García, Minister of Health of Spain, as well as other high-level officials in the country’s health sector.
During these discussions, Dr. Barbosa thanked Spain for its continued collaboration with the Organization, particularly in the areas of cervical cancer elimination and migrant access to health services in Darien. Possible areas of collaboration were also discussed, such as strengthening local capacity for manufacturing medicines and other health technologies.
“Spain and PAHO share important values, including universal access to health and leaving no one behind,” said Dr. Barbosa. “We look forward to our collaboration so that the Americas become the first region in the world to eliminate cancer, as well as to guarantee the right to health of migrants, displaced people and indigenous populations, which are priority areas.”
His visit to Spain also included meetings with Antón Leis, director of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), and María Jesús Lamas, director of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products. The Director of PAHO stressed the importance of regional cooperation to strengthen the regulatory authorities of Latin America and the Caribbean, which is key to promoting local manufacturing and ensuring better preparation for pandemics and other health emergencies.
«We know what we need to do to address the region’s most pressing health problems, and this includes implementing policies to promote inclusive economic growth, investing in social infrastructure and quality health education, and strengthening health care systems based in primary care,» said Dr. Barbosa.
«We look forward to continuing to collaborate with our European partners to learn from their experience and help make this a reality.»
