Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides Service) - From 27 September to 1 October health ministers of countries from all over the Americas will meet at the head offices of the Pan-American Health Organisation which is holding its annual Management Council. For five days health experts will discuss health situations in the region and adopt resolutions to tackle the major problems concerning public health.
One of the main topics for discussion will be therapy for HIV/AIDS patients. In Latin America and the Caribbean more than 2 million people are affected by the virus and despite recent progress in some countries and regions, HIV/AIDS is spreading especially in the Caribbean and Central America. The region intends to extend antiretroviral therapy to at least 600,000 patients.
One matter on the agenda will be a revision of the International Health Regulations. In effect, with many new diseases and re-emerging sicknesses which strike the world the regulations become rapidly obsolete and countries must co-ordinate efforts to face health threats and to improve the potential of the individual countries.
The Management Council will also discuss how to protect hospitals and health care centres from natural calamities. In effect more than half of the 16,000 hospitals in Latin America and the Caribbean are situated in high risk areas. Many have suffered repeated damage in earthquakes, hurricanes and floods.
The Pan-American Health Organisation, founded in 1902, is the world’s oldest health organisation and it works with all the countries of America to improve people’s health and quality of life. It is the regional office for the Americas of the World Health Organisation. (AP) (21/9/2004 Agenzia Fides; Righe:25; Parole:290)
