The President of the Republic, Laurentino Cortizo Cohen, received this Friday at the Presidential Palace Dr. Jarbas Barbosa da Silva Jr., new director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and of the regional office for the Americas of the World Organization of Health (WHO), with whom he discussed various issues, one of them, the strengthening of technical cooperation in health for Panama.
The Chief Executive, accompanied by the Minister of Health, Luis Francisco Sucre, thanked Dr. Barbosa da Silva Jr. for the PAHO support provided to Panama during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially Dr. Gerardo Alfaro Cantón.
“I want to express Panama’s gratitude to a person who represents PAHO and who was fundamental in the organized work of being able to face the pandemic in its most difficult years. It is about Dr. Alfaro, an official who was with Panama 24/7 in organized, disciplined work, aligned in the management of the pandemic, “said Cortizo Cohen.
The president highlighted the work of his administration to lay the foundations for the eradication of poverty and inequality through the Beehive Plan and its 12 areas of action.
Cortizo Cohen requested support from PAHO to advance in the digitization of processes in the health system and drug inventories, access to drugs and medical supplies globally; and highlighted the excellent maritime and air connectivity of Panama to serve as a “hub” for the region in the distribution of medicines, and help in any climatic or humanitarian situation.
The new director of PAHO congratulated President Cortizo Cohen for the government’s strategy in addressing the issue of inequality and looking towards those communities that have less and providing them with care.
Likewise, he recognized the commitment of Panama with the conservation of the environment and the climate; in primary health, in the fight against smoking and on the frontal labeling law.
Barbosa da Silva Jr., a Brazilian national, explained that the pillars of his mandate are focused on helping the countries of the Americas overcome the COVID-19 pandemic through surveillance and vaccines; apply the lessons learned from the pandemic to prepare for future health emergencies and ensure rapid and equitable access to health innovations for all countries in the region.
Also in building resilient national health systems based on primary health care and strengthening PAHO’s capacity to help Member States.
During the visit, Dr. Barbosa da Silva Jr. was accompanied by Dr. Ana Rivière Cinnamond, PAHO/WHO representative in Panama, and Luciana Viegas, PAHO Public Affairs adviser; for Panama the Vice Minister of Multilateral Affairs and Cooperation, Jill Otero.
