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Health Canada and The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)
Created in 1902, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is the oldest of the six specialized agencies of the Organization of American States (OAS), and functions as the health agency of the OAS. With the establishment of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948, PAHO also became the regional office for the Americas.
PAHO's Headquarters are based in Washington, DC. PAHO also has 27 country offices and eight scientific centers. Its technical and scientific experts work with all 35 member countries in the Americas to deal with priority health issues such as disease prevention and control, family and community health, sustainable development and environmental health, technology and health services delivery, information and knowledge management, health analysis and information systems, emergency preparedness and disaster relief, strategic analysis and partnerships, and strategic health development.
The Organization's essential mission is to strengthen national and local health systems and improve the health of the peoples of the Americas, in collaboration with Ministries of Health, other government and international agencies, nongovernmental organizations, universities, social security agencies, community groups, and many others.
PAHO promotes primary health care strategies to reach people in their communities and to extend health services equitably to all individuals, especially those who are vulnerable and impoverished. It supports programs to reduce the toll of chronic diseases and prevent transmission of communicable diseases, including old diseases that have re-emerged such as cholera, dengue and tuberculosis, and new diseases such as HIV/AIDS, West Nile virus, and SARS.
The Governing Bodies responsible for decisions on policies, budget and major programme directions comprises the following: the Pan American Sanitary Conference, the Directing Council, and the Executive Committee.
The Pan American Sanitary Conference is the supreme governing authority of the Organization and meets every four years. The Council meets once a year in those years when the Conference does not meet. The Executive Committee is composed of nine Member States of the Organization, elected by the Conference or the Council for overlapping periods of three years. The Committee, which meets twice a year, acts as a working party of the Conference or Council.
Canada has been an active collaborator with PAHO since 1971. In 1989, Canada decided to intensify relations with Latin America and joined the OAS in 1990, at which time Canada officially became a member of PAHO.
Health Canada represents the Government of Canada at meetings of the PAHO Governing Bodies. Health Canada also collaborates with PAHO by providing expertise on specific health issues and by formulating and communicating Canada's official policies on national and international health. Annually, dozens of experts from Health Canada and the Canadian health community provide technical input in support of PAHO's programs and plans. In addition, each year, Health Canada's International Affairs Directorate works with PAHO to identify several bilateral projects that mobilize Canadian health experts to work with countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
