Five candidates vie to become PAHO Director in 2013

Five candidates have been officially nominated by their respective governments to run for Director of the Pan American Sanitary Bureau, the secretariat of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). PAHO Member States will elect the new Director during the 28th Pan American Sanitary Conference, scheduled for 17–21 September 2012 in Washington, D.C.

In accordance with the rules governing the election, the official nominations were opened and certified on 2 May 2012 by PAHO Senior Legal Officer Mercedes Gatica, in the presence of the President of the PAHO Executive Committee, Dr. Miriam Morales, Vice-Minister of Health of Venezuela.

The official candidates are:

•Caroline Judith Chang Campos – Ecuador
•Carissa Faustina Etienne – Dominica
•Socorro Gross Galiano – Costa Rica
•María Julia Muñoz Melo – Uruguay
•Oscar Raúl Ugarte Ubilluz – Peru

The new Director will begin a five-year term on 1 February 2013, replacing outgoing Director Dr. Mirta Roses Periago of Argentina, who has held the post since 1 February 2003.

World Health Day 2012 Symposium

Dr. Beverley Barnett delivering her remarks.

The Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) hosted a symposium in observance of World Health Day 2012, under the theme “Healthy Ageing- Good health adds life to years”.

The PAHO/WHO Representative, Dr. Beverley Barnett, in her remarks highlighted the need for individuals to be conscious of health every day in order to add life to years. She outlined that in the past, the main focus of health was adding years to life and the aim was to keep people from dying young and increase life expectancy and longevity, which are still very important today. She further stated that, “we are never too old for health, and our countries, by making adequate social and health investments now, can promote longer, healthier, and more active lives, while ensuring that ageing populations do not become an economic burden on countries’ development”. She also indicated that it is important to live quality lives, since the issue is not only adding years to life, but rather adding life to those longer years.

World Health Day 2012 Message from the PAHO/WHO Representative, Guyana

Every year, World Health Day is celebrated on 7 April to mark the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948. World Health Day is a global campaign, inviting everyone – from global leaders to the public in all countries – to focus on a single health challenge with global impact. World Health Day provides an opportunity to start or enhance collective action to protect people's health and well-being. The subject for World Health Day 2012 is "Healthy Ageing and the theme is "Good health adds life to years". It focuses on how good health throughout life can help older men and women to lead full, productive lives and be a valued resource for their families and communities.