PAHO praised for its "total commitment" to the fight against HIV/AIDS

The office in Panama of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) was publicly praised by the Foundation for the Welfare and Dignity of people living with HIV/AIDS for its "total commitment" to the fight against this epidemic.

The Foundation's director, Dr. Orlando Quintero, said in a statement that the technical support provided to the Foundation's campaigns and activities has reflected a "total commitment" by the office in Panama of PAHO and the World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO).

According to Quintero, this kind of assistance - and any future cooperation - will make it possible for civil society to continue to regard PAHO as an important support tool in Panama's struggle against HIV/AIDS.

Quintero's statement was issued during an official ceremony in Panama City on Aug. 9. The Foundation is known as PROBIDSIDA for its initials in Spanish.

Dr. Guadalupe Verdejo, the PAHO/WHO representative in Panama, thanked the Foundation on behalf of PAHO Director Dr. Mirta Roses. And she expressed her "great pleasure that the work of the PAHO/WHO personnel in Panama has been recognized by the various organizations it helps in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Panama."

Among the activities being carried out by the PAHO/WHO office in Panama, Verdejo mentioned the works of a volunteer communications expert from the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), a Spanish physician and a nurse - all having joined the Panama office's efforts against HIV/AIDS.

The PAHO/WHO office in Panama - jointly with the Panamanian Health Ministry - has:

• Drafted information and sensitiveness materials.
• Started the 3x5 Initiative under which three million people living with HIV/AIDS should be treated with anti-retrovirals by the end of this year. The office emphasized the purchase of reagents and their treatment.
• Worked on initiatives seeking to reduce and combat the stigma and discrimination associated with the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Within the context of its cooperation with the civil society, Verdejo stressed the importance of the support for PROBIDSIDA, the design of a campaign to prevent vertical transmission and the help provided to the World Vigil to people living with HIV/AIDS.

PAHO was established in 1902 and is the world's oldest public health organization. PAHO works with all the countries of the Americas to improve the health and the quality of life of people of the Americas. It serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO).

PAHO Member States today include all 35 countries in the Americas. France, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland are Participating States. Portugal and Spain are Observer States, and Puerto Rico is an Associate Member.