Geneva, 18 May 2015 (PAHO/WHO) — The director of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), Carissa F. Etienne, met with health delegates from the Americas on the opening day of the 68th World Health Assembly, which is taking place this week in Geneva. The World Health Assembly is WHO's top decision-making body.
Etienne encouraged delegations from PAHO member countries to collaborate on agenda items including Ebola, antimicrobial resistance and prevention and control of dengue, as well as other priority issues for the Americas region
Etienne emphasized the importance of the recent verification of the Americas as having eliminated rubella and congenital rubella syndrome. The announcement, made in April, made the Americas the first WHO region to eliminate these two diseases.
"This was the result of your work, and you should be proud of this achievement," she told the delegates.
