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Former Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Dr Carissa Etienne, has passed away.
PAHO confirmed the news in a media release yesterday morning. The Dominica born Etienne died in the early hours of Friday in the United States. She was 71 years old.
PAHO said Director Emeritus Carissa F Etienne, a native of Dominica, served as Director of PAHO and Regional Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) for the Americas from February 2013 to January 2023.
“Carissa was a dear friend and colleague, and under her steadfast leadership and guidance, PAHO achieved significant milestones for the region of the Americas while facing one of our greatest public health challenges with COVID-19,” PAHO Director Dr Jarbas Barbosa said. “I am very saddened by her passing, and my thoughts are with her family, friends and all of us at PAHO who cared deeply for her.”
The release stated that during Dr Etienne’s tenure, PAHO led the response to the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic in the region of the Americas, as well as efforts to control Zika and chikungunya epidemics and cholera and yellow fever outbreaks in Haiti and Brazil, while significantly improving the organization’s response to emergencies and disasters within 48 hours.
It said under her leadership, the Americas eliminated the endemic transmission of measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome, and made considerable strides in the prevention and control of chronic non-communicable diseases. Legislative and regulatory mechanisms gained traction, as countries enacted legislation on the labelling of food products and introduced taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages.
PAHO added that advances were also made in strengthening national health systems and in progress toward universal health.
“ In the last five years of Dr Etienne’s mandate, deliveries by skilled birth attendants increased from 95% to nearly 100% and, for the first time, the Region of the Americas reached the recommended target of 25 physicians and nurses per 10,000 people,” PAHO said.
Also extending condolences was Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh.
In a statement yesterday, Minister Deyalsingh said during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Dr Etienne was instrumental in the acquisition of vaccines for Trinidad and Tobago.
Minister Deyalsingh said he, “recognises the contributions made by Dr Etienne during her tenure to tackle the health challenges confronting the people of Trinidad and Tobago and extends his sympathies to her family during this difficult time.”
Dr Joy St John, Executive Director, of CARPHA (Caribbean Public Health Agency) also expressed what she called profound sadness and shock over Dr Etienne’s passing.
Dr St John said her contributions to public health in the Americas were not only significant but also transformative.
“Her leadership and unwavering commitment to our Caribbean Community’s collective pursuit of healthier people, healthier spaces and a healthier Caribbean were a source of inspiration to many. Dr Etienne was a tireless advocate for the Americas’ regional solidarity, for she knew that was the only way to address the glaring inequalities that exist here,” she said.