PAHO starts campaign to mark completion of 120 years

World: The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) has commenced the campaign to mark its 120th anniversary.

This year the health organisation has completed 120 years of active work in promoting wellbeing and health across the globe, especially in Americas region. The organisation was founded back in 1902, under the principle that ‘health is not a privilege but a fundamental human right.’

The PAHO has worked tirelessly in the past 120 years, has helped Americans to fight against various diseases, and has raised information about combating physical as well as a mental disturbance.

“We have reached at our 120th anniversary during some of the most challenging times the region, and world, have ever seen- COVID-19 pandemic, likes of which have not been experienced for a century, and one which has laid devoid some of our most striking health inequalities,” PAHO Director Carissa F Etienne said.

“As we begin to look towards rebuilding & recovery, never before has PAHO’s leadership been more crucial and more relevant,” she added.

The scheduled events will start from a virtual dialogue on ‘The interdependency between health, social protection and economy’ in March 2022 and would end in November 2022 with a discussion of the senior officials on ‘How to harness technology and innovation for health using a digital- and data-driven approach to recovery and rebuilding.

To ease the marking of the anniversary throughout the year, the PAHO will build a dedicated website and promotional products.

Over the past two crucial years, due to COVID-19, PAHO was actively providing the necessities like test kits and vaccines. The health organisation was also engaged in collecting and analysing data to make the decision making and action better for the future.

According to the data by the organisation, it has procured and delivered around 100 million doses of vaccines against COVID-19, aiding more than 30 American countries. The report further claimed that PAHO has spent around USD 292 million in critical care medicines, diagnostic tests, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

“PAHO has remained an integral, during the COVID-19 pandemic, evidence-based and resilient organisation, with a commitment to the principles of equity and solidarity. Our health organisation has much to be proud of because of our rich history of service,” Dr Etienne said.