Antimicrobial resistance, and climate change key issues for the Americas at 154th WHO Executive Board – PAHO/WHO

Geneva, Switzerland, January 27, 2024 (PAHO) – Accelerate actions to address the growing threat posed by antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and ensure that health equity is taken into account in national adaptation and mitigation efforts Climate change were among the main topics discussed at the 154th Executive Council of the World Health Organization this week in Geneva, Switzerland.

In the region, “we recognize that the growing threat posed by AMR demands our unwavering attention and concerted efforts,” PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa said in a session on accelerating national and global responses to AMR. .

Although 83% of the countries in the Americas have a multisectoral national action plan on antimicrobial resistance, “only 46% of them are being implemented effectively,” he added.

Countries must therefore work collaboratively with each other and with United Nations agencies and civil society organizations to “address this issue both regionally and globally.”

During a session on climate change and health, the PAHO Director highlighted the particular vulnerability of the Americas to climate-related effects and disasters. «Vulnerable populations, future generations and those who live in susceptible territories such as Small Island Developing States or the Amazon rainforest – those least responsible for climate change – are the most affected by its impacts,» she stated.

Dr. Barbosa stressed that while progress has been made to address the impact of climate change on health in the Region, including a collaboration with the European Union and the Green Climate Fund to help Member States ensure health systems climate-resilient health care, “uneven progress has been made.”

Therefore, it is crucial that health sectors “integrate equity considerations into adaptation and mitigation efforts, thereby contributing to a more just, sustainable and healthy future for all.”

During the Executive Board, which took place from January 22 to 27 in Geneva, Member States also discussed progress and challenges in achieving immunization goals, as well as improving preparedness and response to health emergencies and disasters.

Dr. Barbosa held several bilateral meetings with representatives of Latin American and Caribbean countries to discuss priority issues, including health emergencies, the importance of addressing non-communicable diseases and mental health, and dengue outbreaks, among other important topics. .

Dr. Barbosa also met with the International Hospital Federation (IHR) to discuss collaboration to strengthen hospital management in Latin America and the Caribbean.

During meetings with the Group of Member States of the Americas (GRUA) on January 22 and 23, countries discussed priority issues, including the 14th General Program of Work (2025-2028), the need to ensure equitable distribution of funds between WHO regions, and health emergencies, among others.

The WHO Executive Board is composed of 34 technically qualified members elected for three-year terms. The main functions of the Council are to implement the decisions and policies of the Health Assembly and to advise and facilitate its work. The current Board is composed of six Member States from the Americas: Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Paraguay, Peru and the United States.