WASHINGTON, DC – The Bahamas welcomed the focus by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) on various aspects of health security in the region, particularly environmental and food security.
Bahamas Ambassador Cornelius A Smith led a delegation to the PAHO 50th Directing Council Meeting in Washington, DC. That delegation included Drs. Merceline Dahl-Regis, chief medical officer; Delon Braynen, deputy chief medical officer; and Cherita Moxey, senior house officer. Bridget McKay, alternate representative from The Bahamas Permanent Mission to the OAS, was also part of the delegation.
Mr. Smith was responding to the director’s report given by PAHO Director Dr. Mirta Roses, and he lauded the director’s focus on human security, which he said plays a crucial role in obtaining optimal health for all the region’s populations.
Mr. Smith applauded the preparation activities PAHO had made in the implementation of the International Health Regulation (2005), which he said plays a key role in securing the region against the introduction of infectious diseases and other “collective threats.”
“The Bahamas is pleased to be a part of the regional initiative to eliminate the transmission of HIV and congenital syphilis,” he said. “We do feel that the target for 2015 is an ambitious one and is not likely to be achieved unless there is acceleration in the laboratory support for the region.”
Mr. Smith singled out the issue of environmental security, and applauded the efforts on the part of the region to improve environmental security. He cited food security, as well, as an issue deserving of particular attention.
The ambassador also urged PAHO to see to it that the management of nutrition plays a central role in the body’s work in the region, particularly given the economic environment, issues of food security and the unforeseen challenges relating to disasters.
“Given the regional challenge posed by obesity and realising that this will continue whether these other events occur, it is important to acknowledge that obesity, particularly childhood obesity more than any of the other nutrition-related events, will kill more persons than any of these events,” he said.
Mr. Smith also thanked PAHO for the diligence with respect to the Revolving Fund, which he said has been important in providing affordable vaccines to the region.
By Khyle Quincy Parker
Embassy of The Bahamas
