WASHINGTON, DC – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) says it has signed and arrangement with the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe (WHO/Europe) and the United States Department for Health and Human Services (HHS) that seeks to improve transatlantic collaboration to strengthen global health systems and attain health equity in a post-pandemic context in the Americas, including the Caribbean.
Photo courtesy of the PAHO“The COVID-19 pandemic showed that a health emergency affecting one corner of the world can quickly spread to other regions, crippling even the strongest of health systems – exposing vulnerabilities, including social inequality and health inequity, and threatening global health security,” said PAHO in a statement.
Taken together, PAHO, WHO/Europe and HHS work across more than 85 countries in the Americas and the European Region, PAHO said.
“The Collaboration Framework Arrangement will enable them to better meet future health challenges and priorities in the years ahead,” said PAHO, adding that the partnership will cement collaboration across a range of areas, including by: Strengthening global health architecture to make it fit-for-purpose; strengthening emergency preparedness, including pandemic preparedness; enhancing vaccine manufacturing through public-private partnerships; tackling mis- and disinformation related to health and health care; and supporting the health workforce through integration and training.
PAHO said the collaboration will support the health of indigenous populations; embed the “One Health” principle into policymaking across countries and regions; enhance detection of and response to antimicrobial resistance; strengthen surveillance for pathogens of concern; and coordinate refugee and migrant health, including by strengthening border health systems.
“Previous transatlantic partnerships in health focused primarily on supporting the developing world in areas such as vaccines and universal health coverage,” said Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, director of PAHO, which also serves as the WHO Regional Office for the Americas.
“But the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic have shown that, without collaboration grounded in equity, the impact on health systems everywhere is tremendous,” he added. “This new arrangement will enable us to build on our existing transatlantic ties and forge new networks to meet the health needs of people all over the Americas and Europe now and in the future.”
“We face numerous and shared health challenges across the Americas and the European Region, from global warming, to ageing populations, from noncommunicable diseases to new and reemerging pathogens, from antibiotic resistance to universal health coverage,” Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe said.
“We simply won’t be able to address these challenges alone, and that’s why this transatlantic partnership is so important,” he added. “We also share the Arctic region, home to indigenous communities with unique health needs who stand to benefit from this partnership. With this new arrangement, we hope to supercharge our collaboration across the health spectrum, for the benefit of everyone.”
“The United States and HHS are thankful for partners like WHO/Europe and PAHO who are working tirelessly to provide lifesaving supplies and services to communities across the globe,” said Loyce Pace, assistant secretary for the Office of Global Affairs for the US Department of Health and Human Services.
“We know that the global challenges we face won’t be solved by one country alone but by the world coming together and fighting for what’s right,” Pace added. “We have an opportunity to chart a better, healthier and more equitable path for everyone. That’s why HHS is proud to sign on to this transatlantic partnership alongside PAHO and WHO/Europe to promote global health.”
