PAHO/WHO Guyana
Country Cooperation Strategy

PAHO/WHO Guyana
Annual Report 2005

Press Releases

 

Prevention and Control of Cervical Cancer

Dr. Mirta Roses, Director
Pan American Health Organization

Few days ago I had the honor of addressing the International Congress of the International Union against Cancer (UICC) in Washington, D.C., reviewing efforts to fight cervical cancer with world renowned experts.

Eighty percent of cervical cancer deaths occur in the developing countries, where 600 women a day die from this cause. The incidence in Latin America and the Caribbean is double that of the developed countries and the mortality rate triple.

Cervical cancer is preventable, however, if precancerous conditions are detected early on. Unfortunately, this is not happening in our Region. In most cases, when cancer is detected it is already in the very advanced stages.

The best solution, therefore, is to increase early detection and prevent cervical cancer from developing. It is especially critical to improve poor women’s access to detection services to control this disease and save thousands of lives each year.

In the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) we promote mechanisms to improve the public health systems’ response to this challenge, through support and collaboration with each country and at the subregional and hemispheric level.
We are part of the Alliance for Cervical Cancer Prevention (ACCP), which includes EngenderHealth, a nongovernmental organization; the International Agency for Research on Cancer; JHPIEGO, a nonprofit organization affiliated with Johns Hopkins University, and the Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH). The Alliance works to improve cervical cancer detection, prevention, and treatment services, the information provided to women, and training for health workers in this area.

We are conducting pilot programs in El Salvador, Peru, and Suriname--research that will enable us to improve cervical cancer detection and treatment practices throughout the Hemisphere.

We are also providing support for subregional efforts in the Caribbean, South America, the Andean Area, and the Southern Cone and conducting joint assessments with the ministries of health of 10 countries to improve detection and treatment programs.

The final declaration of the International Congress that I mentioned included a call for an international plan for a program to immunize against human papillomavirus, an important causative agent of cervical cancer. Aware that the vaccine is not a panacea and that other prevention and early detection programs must remain in place, we believe it is an important option in the fight against cervical cancer.

We are also studying the economic impact and financial feasibility of procuring the new vaccine. The countries are already considering how to add it to their existing immunization programs, taking advantage of opportunities during women’s contacts with the health services.

We must persevere in our efforts to improve national and regional programs for the prevention and control of cervical cancer. The lives of thousands of women and the welfare of their families is at stake.

 

Everyday Heroes: Health Workers

Dr. Mirta Roses Periago
Director, Pan American Health Organization

Health workers, who have saved so many lives and will continue to do so, have accustomed us to so many deeds of valor that they have managed to make their extraordinary contributions commonplace. So much so that we run the risk of not thanking them enough for the work that they do every day. This year, we are dedicating World Health Day to the recognition of these often anonymous heroes for the sacrifices and contributions they make to public health--something that we are privileged witnesses to, sharing the pride of working alongside them in the Pan American Health Organization. [download] (687KB)

 

PAHO Director Mirta Roses presented her Annual Report - Working Together for the Health of the Americas - to the Region's Ministers of Health on the opening day of the Directing Council meeting.

 

PAHO Newsletter Summary
Director's Annual Report 2004

 

Women and Decision-making by Mirta Roses Periago, Director, PAHO

When Dr. Michelle Bachelet Jeria takes office as President of the Republic of Chile on 11 March, women in the Americas cannot help but think about the profound symbolism of the fact that she does so just three days after the celebration of International Women’s Day, whose theme this year is precisely “Women in Decision-making.” [download] (27KB)