The Director of the Pan American Health Organization and Regional Director of the World Health Organization in the Americas (PAHO/WHO), Dr. Mirta Roses Periago paid an official visit to Barbados on February 10, 2012.

During her visit she met with Minister of Health, Honorable Donville Inniss, the Chief Medical Officer and Permanent Secretary.  Among other things she discussed the roles and responsibilities of Barbados as the incoming Chair of the Executive Board of the WHO. 

Another highlight of the PAHO Director’s visit was the meeting with staff of PAHO/WHO Barbados Office.   Dr. Roses used the opportunity to discuss with staff her 28 years of working with PAHO, including those years spent at the Caribbean Epidemiological Center (CAREC) in Port of Spain, Trinidad.  Staff took the opportunity to discuss common concerns with the Director, which she graciously addressed; she then received many well wishes on her upcoming retirement.

Antigua St John's - Dr Merle Lewis, newly appointed PAHO/WHO Representative in the Office of Eastern Caribbean Coordination (ECC), recently met with Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer, senior staff at the Ministry of Health, including Chief Medical Officer Dr Rhonda Sealy-Thomas and Permanent Secretary Edson Joseph, and officials at the Mount St John's Medical Centre.