Kralendijk – Recently the representatives of PAHO / WHO, Dr. Nicola Taylor, “Program Management Specialist” and Dr. Erica Wheeler, “PAHO / WHO representative for PAHO Trinidad & Tobago, Aruba, Bonaire Curaçao, Saba, St. Eustatius and St. Maarten”, have brought a courtesy visit to the Lieutenant Edison Rijna and the Deputy Edsel Cecilia. At the meeting, advisor to deputy Cecilia, Dianne Hoeve, director of the Society and Care Department, Silvana Janga-Serfilia and head of Public Health, Alcira Janga-Jansen were also present.

Until recently, the PAHO technical support to the BES and the CAS islands (former Netherlands Antilles) was coordinated by the PAHO office in Venezuela. Coordination has been transferred to PAHO Trinidad & Tobago since the second quarter of this year.

During the discussion with the representatives of PAHO, the roles of the WHO and PAHO Trinidad & Tobago were extensively discussed. During the discussion, emphasis was also placed on the possibilities for cooperation and support in various areas within Public Health for the coming years. In the first quarter of 2019, representatives of PAHO will visit the islands again with the aim of reaching a priority plan for the next 2 years together with the islands.

To conclude the visit to Bonaire, PAHO representatives paid a visit to the Public Health Department, where the PAHO delegation got to know the department. During this meeting, the head of the department and the policy advisors gave a picture of the health care system on Bonaire, the public health situation and the current programs and projects.