JAMAICA this week welcomed the arrival of director for the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Dr Carissa F Etienne. The official visit comes as part of the inaugural national observance of July as Healthcare Workers’ Appreciation Month and coincides with the health agency’s 120th anniversary.

Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton and Chief Medical Officer Dr Jacquiline Bisasor McKenzie received the PAHO head and her delegation at the Norman Manley International Airport on Tuesday.

Now in her final term as the head of the regional body, Dr Etienne says PAHO applauds Jamaica’s leadership in the Caribbean and commits its support of the island’s role in the advancement of health in the region.

“PAHO pledges its support for Jamaica to become very influential to the Caribbean. Jamaica’s leadership in the Caribbean space is known and we look towards your role in leadership at the regional level. We commit to working assiduously with you to accomplish the health and well-being of your peoples, which are our people as well,” Dr Etienne noted.

PAHO is the dedicated international health agency for the Americas which engages in technical cooperation with its member countries to fight communicable and non-communicable diseases, to support health systems, and to respond to emergencies and disasters.

Dr Etienne’s leadership has been instrumental in the region’s response to significant public health threats including Zika, chikungunya and the recent novel coronavirus pandemic.

Over the course of her visit, Dr Etienne will meet with Government ministers, senior health officials, and health-care workers. She will also dialogue with students in the medical faculty at the University of the West Indies and visit two health facilities in Mandeville.

Dr Etienne will, on Friday, deliver the keynote address at the national banquet to recognise COVID-19 donor partners.