Lessons learned from the pandemic must be turned into actions to prepare for future health emergencies, stresses PAHO Director at the opening of the 17th National Health Conference, in Brazil – PAHO/WHO

Brasilia, July 3, 2023 – The Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, participated in the 17th National Health Conference, which takes place in Brasilia from July 2 to 5. The event is one of the largest in the country for public health.

During the conference, the Director of PAHO stressed that now that COVID-19 has left its acute phase, it is essential that all lessons learned are turned into actions so that the world is better prepared for future emergencies that will occur. could occur.

“It’s the least we can do to honor the millions of people who died during the pandemic, as well as the health workers who did not hesitate to provide care, even at the risk of their lives,” he said. he declares.

Dr. Barbosa also highlighted the need for Latin America and the Caribbean to produce more vaccines, medicines and personal protective equipment for their populations. “The first casualty of the pandemic was solidarity,” he said. “Rich countries have been able to buy three to four times more vaccines than their population, while poor countries have had huge difficulties in accessing it,” he said.

The PAHO Director also highlighted the impact of the pandemic on priority health programs during this period. He cited as examples the increase in maternal mortality after more than 20 years of continuous reduction, the drop in vaccination coverage and the thousands of people suffering from hypertension, diabetes and cancer who do not have access to diagnosis. , treatment and control during peak transmissions of COVID-19. .

“It is important that we take advantage of the visibility that the health sector has gained during the pandemic to build resilient health systems, with better financing, strong primary care, close to the community and solving the health problems of people,” he concluded.

Defending the One Health System (SUS), Life and Democracy – Tomorrow will be another day

The 17th National Health Conference is organized by the National Health Council (CNS) and the Brazilian Ministry of Health, under the theme “Defend SUS, Life and Democracy – Tomorrow will be another day”.

In her speech, the Minister of Health, Nísia Trindade, spoke of the importance of joint efforts and regional collaboration so that development is done collectively. “Brazil will only move forward if we move forward with the Americas region, if we raise our voices to defend effective equality among nations. This is the strength we need, without giving up our differences and strengthening our unit.

“Today we are the real and loving representation of the resistance and the hope of a health system for all. It was the social struggle that led to the SUS in 1988. We arrived at this 17th Conference by a path built and traveled by countless fighters so that health is not just the absence of disease.” added Fernando Pigatto, president of the CNS

The National Health Conference takes place every four years and is an important space for dialogue between government and society for the construction of public health policies. This edition marks the end of a process that included municipal, state and free conferences attended by more than 2 million people from all over Brazil.

The 17th CNS has 110 international participants, from 14 countries. From the Americas region, delegations from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guyana, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru and Venezuela participate. In addition to them, delegations from the countries of the European region, Spain, Switzerland and Italy, also participate.