Dr. Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), and Dr. Carissa F. Etienne, Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), are in Peru this week to meet with Peruvian health officials and to participate in an international forum on universal health coverage (UCH).
Margaret Chan and Carissa F. Etienne to meet with Peruvian officials and participate in forum on universal health coverage
Lima, Peru, 19 February 2014 (PAHO/WHO) — Dr. Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), and Dr. Carissa F. Etienne, Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), are in Peru this week to meet with Peruvian health officials and to participate in an international forum on universal health coverage (UCH).
Chan and Etienne are scheduled to meet with Minister of Health Midori De Habich to discuss the country's health situation and PAHO/WHO's technical cooperation strategy as well as other issues, including health as a priority in the post-2015 development agenda and at the 20th Conference of Parties of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 20), scheduled to take place in Lima in December 2014.
On Wednesday, Etienne met with Fredy Otárola, President of the Peruvian
Congress, and members of the Health Commission of the Latin American
Parliament. Etienne said it important to strengthen health legislation as a
matter of human rights. She also called for closer coordination with the Latin
American Parliament. Otárola expressed his commitment to health issues and said
Peru's legislature would maintain its leadership on health subjects and would
support initiatives of the Health Commission of the Latin American Parliament.
Peru's Congress has approved a number of initiatives related to WHO and PAHO mandates, including prohibitions on smoking in public places, the Law on Promotion of Healthy Food for Children and Adolescents, and legislation on health and safety in the workplace.
On Thursday, Feb. 20, both directors will join De Habich and First Lady of Peru Nadine Heredia to open the International Forum on Universal Health Coverage, at the Westin Hotel in Lima. Chan will present a global perspective on UHC, while Etienne will offer a regional perspective.
Etienne will also meet with the First Lady to discuss future joint efforts to raise awareness among policymakers and the general public about the need for action to prevent and control cancer.
In addition, Etienne and De Habich will sign a new Cooperation Strategy for 2014-2019, and Etienne will meet with members of the United Nations Country Team in Peru.
On Friday, Chan will participate in a conference on "Health for All, Global Situation and Future Challenges," organized by PAHO/WHO and the Peruvian Congress.
Also this week, both Chan and Etienne will receive the Order of Alcides Carrión, a decoration bestowed by the Ministry of Health of Peru in recognition of their outstanding contributions to international public health.
PAHO, founded in 1902, is the oldest international public health organization in the world. It works with its member countries to improve the health and the quality of life of the people of the Americas. It also serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of WHO.
