Washington, DC, November 27, 2023 (PAHO) – The PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries (PWR-ECC), Dr. Amalia Del Riego, presented her credentials to Antoine Michon, Charge d’affaires, a.i, representing the French Ambassador Jean-Marie Bruno.
The meeting took place at the French Embassy in Washington D.C. Dr. Del Riego briefed about the organization of the multi-country office located in Barbados and noted the important role played by the French Departments in the Eastern Caribbean Countries.
“PAHO through our ECC office is committed to enhancing collaboration with the French Departments of French Guiana, Guadeloupe, and Martinique. This was demonstrated just recently when there was a mission by a team of PAHO Advisors to French Guiana to understand their health systems structure, and to provide technical inputs on the strategic plan the department has for malaria elimination.”
During the meeting, the PWR-ECC informed that Sante Publique France is in the advanced stage of developing a survey about French Guiana to assess their health situation and has sought the collaboration of PAHO.
Discussions are currently ongoing as to what themes and areas should be included as well as the study design and protocol. PAHO is providing inputs on other areas that could be included as well as guidance on study methodology especially since it concerns indigenous and ethnic population living in the Amazonas.
Working in collaboration with Institut Pasteur, an international French research and education institute and a World Health Organization (WHO) collaborating center, PAHO ECC has also facilitated the production of communication materials for malaria diagnosis and treatment targeted towards miners and indigenous populations in French Guiana.
PAHO has assisted with development of communication materials for Gender Based Violence and supported HIV/STI prevention and control in border areas of French Guiana.
Mr Michon similarly acknowledged the interest of the French government to improve collaboration with PAHO, including with exploring possibilities for voluntary contributions through expertise and other mechanisms.
The PAHO/WHO Office for the Eastern Caribbean Countries (ECC), headquartered in Barbados, was established in September 2006 to increase PAHO's country presence in the Eastern Caribbean. Its responsibility is to deliver PAHO/WHO's technical cooperation (TC) in the Eastern Caribbean Countries and Territories and the French Departments in the Americas.
