Oranjestad, Aruba, October 16 2024 (PAHO) – The Pan American Health Organization, Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) successfully hosted the National Consultation for the PAHO/WHO Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) in Aruba from the 15 to 16 October 2024. The CCS laid out the medium-term strategic visionthat guides its work in and with a country, in support of the country's National Health Policy, Strategy or Plan (NHPSP) and its National Development Plan for the period 2025-2030.
The two-day session was facilitated by the team from PAHO/WHO TTO, led by Dr Gabriel Vivas Francesconi, PAHO/WHO Representative for Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Curacao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba with support from Ms. Souad Lakhdim, Country Program Advisor, PAHO/WHO, HQ, Country and Sub-Regional Coordination (CSC), Dr. Vanessa Garcia Larsen, Chief, Risk Factors and Nutrition Unit, Department of NCDs and Mental Health, PAHO HQ and Drs. Judelca Briceno, Head of the Management Team, Department of Public Health, Aruba.
The consultation brought together senior technical representatives from the Department of Public Health, key Government Departments, United Nations agencies, and non-governmental organizations.
Participants reached consensus on a Strategic Agenda, which will guide the collaborative process. This will improve the health situation of the country while fostering Aruba’s contributions to the regional and global health agenda.
These efforts will be vital in addressing Aruba’s key health issues such as strengthening the health system and achieving Universal Health Coverage across the life course, enhancing the prevention and control of communicable and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) to address the health needs of the population, and formalizing multisectoral collaboration using a Health in All Policies approach that responds to social and environmental determinants of health.
The consultation was marked by dynamic and engaging discussions with participants actively contributing, in group sessions, and exchanging ideas in a collaborative atmosphere. These interactions fostered a spirit of inclusivity, ensuring that a diverse range of perspectives was incorporated into the strategic planning process.
Together, with the support of PAHO/WHO and the commitment of local stakeholders, Aruba is poised to achieve health outcomes that will benefit every citizen.
