"There are several successful experiences of implementing Primary Health Care based health systems in the Americas. Some of the most consolidated experiences can be found in countries such as Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba and Chile. They all have universal coverage and access to health care, and the ability to pay for services is not a barrier to accessing care."

Interview

• Dr. Mirta Roses Interview by Harvard College Global Health Review [PDF]

Summary 

Harvard College Global Health Review, edition Spring 2010 recently published an interview with Dr. Mirta Roses Periago, Director of the Pan American Health Organization about some of the most important health issues currently in focus in the Americas region:

• Primary Health Care (PHC) Systems as health systems were the principles of equity, solidarity and the right to the highest attainable health are the core values of the PHC approach, and some of the most successful experiences in the region;
  
  
• The Organization's strategic vision for 2008-2012, which indentifies equity in access to timely and quality health goods and services as a necessary feature of health systems;
  
  
• Health, as a powerful tool to make a safer and durable world for all, where peoples' well-being and public health must be our foremost consideration;
  
  
• Currently challenges in the assistance to Haiti given the scope of the catastrophe faced after the earthqueake;
  
  
• Public health as a social network that puts together the isolated actions of millions of individuals to create a common good, protective net that covers each and everyone.
  

 More information:

 In Spanish

• Harvard College Global Health Review entrevista a Directora de la OPS [PDF]
• PNUD. Boletín del Fondo España-PNUD [PDF]

For more information, contact Diaz, Mrs. Katia (WDC), Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), Office of the Director.