Director de la OPS y Presidente de Paraguay dialogan sobre fortalecimiento del sistema de salud y cooperación internacional – OPS/OMS

Asunción, Paraguay, June 12, 2024 (PAHO) – Within the framework of his first official visit to Paraguay, the Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Jarbas Barbosa, was received today by the President of the Republic of Paraguay, Santiago Peña, to discuss priority health issues for the country.

During the meeting, the Director of PAHO highlighted the new Cooperation Strategy with the Country 2024-2028 signed this morning, which aims to strengthen the health system and move towards universal and quality health.

“I want to recognize Paraguay’s progress in strengthening the hospital network and primary care that improve access to health for Paraguayans,” said the PAHO Director. “We are committed to continuing to support the country to advance the health agenda,” he added.

They also discussed the importance of strengthening the country’s regulatory capacity and the “One Health” approach to address complex health challenges by working across sectors, such as public health, agriculture and livestock, and the environment.

The Minister of Public Health and Social Welfare, María Teresa Barán, also participated in the meeting; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rubén Ramírez Lezcano; the head of the Civil Cabinet of the Presidency, Lea Giménez, and the PAHO Representative in the country, Marcelo Korc.

Until Friday, the PAHO Director will hold high-level meetings with other country authorities, legislators, indigenous peoples, governors and representatives of United Nations agencies and the inter-American system in the country, among others.

In addition, you will meet with the project team funded by the Pandemic Fund to strengthen critical pandemic prevention, preparedness and response functions in Paraguay, participate in a commemorative ceremony for World Blood Donor Day (June 14) and will address the MERCOSUR Health Ministers at the Summit that will take place in the country.

Also, he will travel to Chaco to learn more about a maternal and child health project in the Presidente Hayes Health Region.