Dr. Carissa F. Etienne, Director of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), was hosted to a High Level Ministerial luncheon, held in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the PAHO/WHO Country Office for The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands. The event marked the first major dialogue between government and community leaders with the Director on her first official visit to the country.
Director addresses High Level Ministerial luncheon encouraging a stronger, multisectoral approach in advance of the implementation of National Health Insurance in The Bahamas
Nassau, July 16th, 2015 — Dr. Carissa F. Etienne, Director of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), was hosted to a High Level Ministerial luncheon, held in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the PAHO/WHO Country Office for The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands. The event marked the first major dialogue between government and community leaders with the Director on her first official visit to the country.
Dr. Etienne had an opportunity to interact with several members of Government, including, the Deputy Prime Minister and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Philip Davis, members of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on National Health Insurance (NHI): Minister of Health, the Dr. Hon. Perry Gomez, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, the Hon. Allyson Maynard-Gibson, QC, Minister of Labour and National Insurance, the Hon. Shane Gibson, and Minister for Grand Bahama, the Dr. Hon. Michael Darville.
Photo Caption: PAHO/WHO Director interacts with some members of the Cabinet Sub-committee for National Health Insurance at high level luncheon. From L-R, Minister of Health, the Dr. Hon. Perry Gomez, Deputy Prime Minister and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Philip Davis, Dr. Carissa F. Etienne, Director of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), Minister of Labour and National Insurance, the Hon. Shane Gibson, and Minister for Grand Bahama, the Dr. Hon. Michael Darville.
The Director opened the dialogue noting that Universal Access to Health (UA), Universal Health Coverage (UHC) & Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) is based on improving the first level of care. The commitment to this health reform is based on "equity, solidarity, a focus on the poor, the vulnerable and those individuals excluded in the current health system," said Dr. Etienne.
"Health systems strengthening based on a primary health care approach while simultaneously improving secondary and tertiary care, is the most cost-effective with the biggest benefit to our countries," Dr. Etienne continued. She urged leaders that while strengthening the different levels of patient care is important, it is absolutely vital that we have "a strong focus on health promotion and prevention and addressing the social determinants of health".
"Populations are growing, demographics are changing and so must our approach to health" said Dr. Etienne. "The Caribbean faces an NCD tsunami and it cannot be solely addressed by the Ministry of Health. It will require collaboration, a multi-sectoral approach, a "health in all policies" approach is required to address challenges to health, including non-communicable diseases (NCDs)"
With nearly one in four Bahamians suffering from hypertension and one in five from elevated blood glucose/diabetes, "we cannot ignore this problem any longer. It is affecting persons at a younger age and it will create a burden on your national health system if other Ministries and sectors do not see health as their focus". Dr. Etienne challenged the group to combat tobacco and harmful use of alcohol, while addressing the high obesity rate and physical inactivity".
"Tobacco legislation is absolutely necessary from increased tariffs, larger warning labels, plain packaging and smoke free-spaces to protect the most vulnerable". The Bahamas is a signatory of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) on 2009 with proposed regulations to come into effect within 5 years of signing the protocol.
Photo Caption: Dr. Carissa F. Etienne, Director of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) provides insight and recommendations to attendees of high level ministerial luncheon, highlighting the importance of Health In All Policies, multi-sectoral collaboration and policy intervention to ensure the health of all people.
Dr. Etienne encouraged the participants to "Work with food producers to help reduce the high levels of salt, sugars and fat in their product formulation - in the most popular foods consumed by the public," and recommended "the formation of an NCD Commission with strong leadership to spearhead education and policy initiatives to address the epidemic of non-communicable diseases in the country."
She highlighted the many ways in which PAHO has provided technical support and assistance to countries to advance UA/UHC including: evidence & support for infrastructure upgrades, assistance with health financing options, identifying options to reduce inefficiencies, generic drug procurement through the PAHO Revolving Fund, and recommendations on government health spending.
She acknowledged the advances of The Bahamas in the area of health and recognized that patience is required in the country's moving towards health for all.
About PAHO/WHO
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is an international public health agency with more than 100 years of experience in working to improve health and living standards of the countries of the Americas. It serves as the specialized organization for health of the Inter-American System. It also serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization and enjoys international recognition as part of the United Nations system.
About PAHO/WHO in The Bahamas and The Turks and Caicos Islands
The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) was first established in The Bahamas in 1978 as a sub-regional office of the Jamaica Office. By 1982, it was upgraded to a full Country Office Status.
Since then, an important and healthy relationship has evolved, and although the priorities have shifted, PAHO/WHO has enjoyed a long history of engaging and supporting the Bahamas and Turks Caicos to ensure better health and quality of life of the general population.
