The Minister of Public Health, Daniel Salinas, travels this Friday to Washington where he will participate in the elections of the new authorities of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
The minister, whose nomination had the support of Uruguay, made a tour, financed by him, in which he visited seven countries in two weeks where he held meetings, presented his proposals and sought adhesions. The improvement of universal health coverage and avoiding the migration of talent are his main proposals.
Salinas will have the support of at least three countries: Paraguay, Peru and El Salvador, El Observador reported this Friday.
It also has the support of other countries that have not yet defined their vote, which would give it a chance to go to a second round where a new vote will be held, with fewer candidates. In that case, if he cannot reach the position of director general, he would have the opportunity to occupy one of the other two positions in PAHO, which are deputy director and deputy director.
The election, in which 38 countries will be able to vote, will be held next Wednesday, September 28, in Washington within the framework of the 30th Pan American Sanitary Conference.
As of Sunday, six candidates had been presented, but the Colombian government withdrew its support from Fernando Ruiz, who had to leave the candidacy.
Those competing with Salinas are: Jarbas Barbosa da Silva (Brazil), Nadine Gasman (Mexico), Camilo Alleyne (Panama) and Florence Duperval (Haiti). In case of winning, Salinas would be the first Uruguayan to lead the OPS.
