OAS, IDB, PAHO discuss coordinated way of facing health emergencies

The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), José Miguel Insulza, met with the Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Carissa F. Etienne, and the President of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Luis Alberto Moreno, to discuss the development of coordinated actions to address major outbreaks that threaten the population of the Americas.

At the meeting, held at IDB headquarters, officials presented their data on the ability of countries to manage the spread of the chikungunya virus, reported mainly in Caribbean and Central America countries, and to prevent the spread of Ebola from the African continent, which already claimed two victims in the United States.

During the meeting, they mentioned the possibility of convene the member states of the Inter-American System for accurate diagnosis of the intervention capacities of each and to commit the technical cooperation of those with stronger health systems. Moreover, they agreed to explore the establishment of a fund that will improve health services to address these and other epidemics in the future. (oas.org)