Washington, D.C. September 20, 2021 (PAHO) – At the opening of the Pan American Health Organization's (PAHO) 59th Directing Council today, Director Carissa F. Etienne presented the Organization's Annual Report, which summarizes technical cooperation provided to member countries. The report focuses on assistance to help countries respond to the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining and strengthening health gains.
The report, which covers the period from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021, was presented by Dr. Etienne to regional health authorities, who are meeting virtually for the Directing Council held September 20-24.
“The theme of this report – Working through the COVID-19 Pandemic – was chosen to reflect the difficult times and unprecedented challenges through which we navigated to deliver our technical cooperation during these last twelve months of the continuing global COVID-19 pandemic,” Dr. Etienne said in her presentation of the report.
The report details a broad range of PAHO technical assistance, including delivery of vital COVID-19 equipment and supplies, and assistance in key areas such as routine immunization, prevention of noncommunicable diseases, and increased access to health care.
The report describes and summarizes achievements in all of PAHO’s main areas of technical cooperation: health emergencies; health systems and services; communicable diseases and environmental determinants of health; family, health promotion, and life course; noncommunicable diseases and mental health; evidence and intelligence for action in health; and gender, equity, and cultural diversity.
It also details PAHO’s work to improve internal efficiency and strengthen its support and facilitation of technical cooperation. It further describes PAHO’s efforts to ensure continued transparency and accountability in all its operations.
“I am happy to report that despite the immense hardships and complications, the Organization’s work continued undiminished, striving, as always, to fulfill those PAHO values of equity, excellence, solidarity, respect, and integrity, within the overarching framework of Pan Americanism,” Dr. Etienne said.
