2023-12-02 04:31:28
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reported this Friday the death of its director emeritus, Dr. Carissa F. Etienne, 71 years old.
Originally from Dominica, she served as director of PAHO and Regional Director for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO) from February 2013 to January of this year, highlighted a press release published on the organization’s official website, with headquarters in Washington DC.
“Carissa was a dear friend and colleague, and under her strong leadership and guidance, the PAHO achieved important milestones for the Americas region while facing one of our greatest public health challenges with Covid-19,” said PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa.
“I am very saddened by her death and my thoughts are with her family, her friends and all of us at PAHO who cared for her deeply,” he added.
During Etienne’s tenure, PAHO led the response to the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic in the Americas region, as well as efforts to control the Zika and Chikungunya epidemics and the cholera and yellow fever outbreaks in Haiti. and Brazil.
He significantly improved the organization’s capacity in emergency response and under his leadership, the Americas eliminated endemic transmission of measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndromeand made considerable progress in the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases, he stressed.
Progress was also made in strengthening national health systems and moving towards universal health; In addition, the region reached the recommended goal of 25 doctors and nurses for every 10,000 people.
Before her last position, she served between 2008-2012 as Deputy Director-General for Health Systems and Services at WHO, among other important responsibilities.
“We have lost a great champion of public health,” declared Dr. Barbosa. “The Dr. Etienne’s invaluable experience will be greatly missed in global health debates to improve people’s lives and ensure better preparedness for global health emergencies.”
Dr. Etienne began her career in her native Dominica as a Medical Officer at the Princess Margaret Hospital and was later appointed Chief Medical Officer of that country. She also held other senior positions in Dominica, such as Director of Primary Health Care Services, Coordinator of the National AIDS Programme, Disaster Coordinator of the Ministry of Health and President of the National Advisory Council for HIV/AIDS.
Dr. Etienne graduated in Medicine and Surgery from the University of the West Indies (Jamaica) and obtained a master’s degree in Community Health in Developing Countries from the School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine at the University of London, according to the statement.
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