Health MinisterMeets International Health Organisation Representative
The Ministerof Health, the Hon. Gilbert McLean (centre) speaks with Dr. ManuelPeña (fourth from left). Also pictured are (from left)Permanent Secretary Andrea Bryan; Senior Assistant Secretary DianeMontoya; and Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kiran Kumar.
The Hon. Gilbert McLean, Minister of Healthrecently met with the Pan-American Health Organisation's regionalrepresentative, in a wide-ranging discussion regarding how bothparties can benefit from the relationship.
From the funding of projects to the nutritionalvalue of fast food, Mr. McLean spoke with PAHO RepresentativeDr. Manuel Peña for two hours on 26 November. He also mentionedthe Cayman Islands' position regarding health care and how theorganisation could help.
"The PAHO plays a vital role for us,"he said, "and we need to do whatever we can to strengthenthe relationship. These Islands have been blessed financially,but we do not have the wealth that some persons believe. It'simportant to form alliances that will help us meet health-careresponsibilities through educational campaigns or other cost-effectivemeans."
Added Dr. Peña, "It is a mistaketo say that Cayman, Bermuda and other 'well off' countries donot require outside assistance with health care. This is a priorityarea, with changing needs. So while the targeted use of financialaid has dramatically reduced the incidence of childhood diseases,for example, we now have an ageing population.
"That presents medical challenges suchas cardiovascular diseases, cancers and hypertension, which ofcourse cost more to diagnose and treat. So actually, the needfor education and funding is greater than before," he acknowledged.
Dr. Peña outlined the purpose ofPAHO and his role during the meeting, which included the PermanentSecretary, Miss Andrea Bryan; the Senior Assistant Secretary,Mrs. Diane Montoya; and Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kiran Kumar.
He said the organisation was launched in1902 as an alliance among the Pan-American community, simultaneouslybecoming the first international medical coalition of its kind.The organisation is now a specialised branch of the World HealthOrganisation and the United Nations, and Dr. Peña is therepresentative for Cayman as well as Jamaica and Bermuda.
While not primarily a financial institution,PAHO does give some monetary assistance to member countries, fromwhich it derives its budget. However, its primary purpose is givingtechnical assistance, which results in reduced health costs. Itoffers educational resources regarding communicable diseases suchas influenza and AIDS; sponsors regional workshops; and providesstrong regional- and international-level support to its members.
The Caribbean Epidemiology Centre and theCaribbean Food and Nutrition Institute are also PAHO branches,issuing bulletins for such purposes as food recalls and healthalerts. "These interventions have a big effect on communityhealth," Dr. Peña observed.
Furthermore, PAHO co-operates with departmentssuch as Cayman's Environmental Health, and is interested in linkingwith tourism and education efforts. Locally, Dr. Kumar is theliaison, said Dr. Peña: "PAHO is used very positivelyhere," he noted. "Dr. Kumar connects the various departmentsand efforts, and the arrangement works very fluidly."
The meeting with the Minister coincidedwith Dr. Peña's annual planning visit to Cayman. Whileon island he also introduced a self-evaluative tool to publichealth stakeholders in government, as well as those in the communitysuch as the Cayman Islands Cancer Society. This performance measurementwill be completed during a three-day workshop that commences Wednesday,12 December.