El Paso, TX, September 13th, 2012 (OPS/OMS) – With
the intention of making a retrospective and prospective analysis, as
well as to explore possibilities to improve public health in the border,
strengthen cross-border Binational cooperation and exchange of
information, knowledge, lessons learned and successful experiences on
the priorities of public health, was held the binational meeting to
strengthen public health in the border Mexico - United States in the
framework of the 110 anniversary of the Pan American Health Organization
(PAHO) and the 70 years of his Office for the Mexico-United States
border.
In that meeting there were conferences of Dr. Mirta Roses Periago, Director of
PAHO who presented on priorities for strengthening public health on the
border; and Dr. Georges Benjamin, Director of the American Public
Health Association (APHA) and Dr. Cuitláhuac Ruiz Matus, President of
the Sociedad Mexicana de Salud Pública (SMSP), who made a unanimous
proposal to build and strengthen the capacity of organizations of the
civil society in the border through the organizations that represent
respectively and in collaboration with the PAHO.
Following
the presentations the participants to this event had the opportunity to
discuss about what was presented in seven working groups where more
than 100 participants from different areas of the border Mexico-United
States public health, analyzed and reflected on the needs of a mechanism
for the exchange of knowledge and experience and also responded to
various questions that they guided the process of identifying the most
appropriate mechanism in the context and present at the border. The
moderators of the Group were Piedad Huerta, Advisor of the Office of the
Directing Bodies (PAHO/WHO) and Dr. Guillermo Mendoza, Country Program
Analyst of the Office of the Director (PAHO/WHO).
The
moderators asked participants they comment the expectations about the
opportunity to establish an organization, the constant was the need for a
space for discussion, which would facilitate the exchange of
experiences and commitments of binational cooperation in improving
public health. Later, an analysis time was given and it ended with the
participation of the work tables as a plenary, where the members of
these were announced its recommendations and proposals.
The
participants of the work tables agreed that it is necessary to create a
cross-border bi-national communication Association in the field of
public health; for the participation of civil society as well as to make
an inventory of existing instances, Government, health authorities and
academic to participate actively, enabling them to combine the efforts
already carried out independently by various agencies, with the aim that
these efforts represent major public health impact on both sides of the
border between Mexico - United States.
This
activity allowed exploring ways to strengthen the exchange of
information and knowledge of health through binational collaborative
networks. Attendees were very committed and excited about the creation
of a mechanism that the professionals of public health in the region can
have.
Dr. Ruiz Matus Meanwhile proposed, "to
build a common agenda with the collaboration of PAHO, APHA and SMSP
with key issues such as violence, chronic diseases, and the sexual and
reproductive health, among other topics." "We
will seek efforts to contribute to the objectives of the Millennium:
prominently HIV, reproductive health, maternal health and child health."
Adding that it is necessary to establish a dialog border to strengthen
subsidiaries of the SMSP in the border region and promoting the creation
of a public health association defining mechanisms for the Exchange and
cooperation.
Meanwhile
Dr. Benajmin, Executive Director of the American public health
association, the oldest in the world and that it has more than 50
thousand members join these proposals and stressed the importance of
having clear the purpose and approach of this new Association and keep
the focus on such purpose, also reiterate its commitment to adhere to
strengthen health on the border
They
talk of common agreement about the possibility to establish a meeting
between SMSP and APHA per year (within the framework of the annual
meetings exchanging headquarters), and consolidate all these proposal in
a binational agreement of the asociacioens with the OPS. As also is
common manifesto agreement the need of an organism border of public
health integrated by non profits organizations, academic and health
services staff.
LINKS:
Photo Gallery of the event
American Public Health Association (APHA)
http://www.apha.org
Sociedad Mexicana de Salud Pública, A.C.
http://www.smsp.org.mx
For more information please contact:
Lorely Ambriz, M.S.I.S, Knowledge Management & Communication
Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) / A Regional Office of the World
Health Organization
(WHO) United States-Mexico Border Office
5400 Suncrest Dr. Ste. C-4 El Paso, TX 79912
Office (915) 845-5950 Ext. 42523 / Cel (915) 449-3040 / Fax (915) 845-4361
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