Asunción, Paraguay, 12 June 2024 (PAHO)- As part of his first official visit to Paraguay, the Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Jarbas Barbosa, met today with the President of the Republic of Paraguay, Santiago Peña, to discuss priority health issues for the country.
During the meeting, the PAHO Director highlighted the new Country Cooperation Strategy 2024-2028 signed this morning, which aims to strengthen the country’s health system and move towards universal and quality health care.
"I wish to recognize Paraguay's progress in strengthening the hospital network and primary care services that improve access to health for all Paraguayans," the PAHO Director said. "We will continue to support the country to advance its health agenda," he added.
During the meeting, the President of Paraguay and the PAHO Director also discussed the importance of strengthening the country's regulatory capacity, as well as the implementation of the "One Health" approach to address complex health challenges by working across sectors such as public health, agriculture and livestock, and the environment.
The meeting was also attended by the Minister of Public Health and Social Welfare, María Teresa Barán; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rubén Ramírez Lezcano; the Chief of the Civil Cabinet of the Presidency, Lea Giménez; and the PAHO Representative in the country, Marcelo Korc.
The PAHO Director will remain in the country until Friday to hold high-level meetings with other authorities, legislators, indigenous peoples, governors and representatives of United Nations agencies and the Inter-American system, among others.
Dr. Barbosa is due to meet with the Pandemic Fund-supported project team to strengthen critical pandemic prevention, preparedness and response functions in Paraguay. He will also participate in a commemorative ceremony for World Blood Donor Day (June 14) and address the MERCOSUR Health Ministers at the Summit to be held in the country.
The PAHO Director will also travel to the Chaco to take a close look at a maternal and child health project in the Presidente Hayes Health Region.
