PAHEF and PAHO Present the 2011 Sérgio Arouca Award for Excellence in Universal Health Care Winner

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On September 26, 2011, the Pan American Health and Education Foundation (PAHEF) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) jointly presented the Sérgio Arouca Award for Excellence in Universal Health Care to the Integrated Management of Adolescent and Adult Illness (IMAI) Program, which is under the Disease Control Program of the Ministry of Health of Guyana. The award was accepted by the director of the Adolescent and Young Adult Health and Wellness Unit, Dr. Marcia Paltoo, at a special event in Washington, DC.

The award to the Guyana program is in consideration of its efforts to improve the health-care system of the country in spite of the limited resources available. The objectives of IMAI are to protect the population from diseases, to deliver high-quality health services, and to improve the provision of care and treatment of illnesses. To date, IMAI has been implemented in 246 health facilities in seven regions of the country. Additionally, approximately 417 health workers and 25 people living with HIV have been trained. As attested by PAHO’s Country Office in Guyana, implementation of this program is contributing to improving public health and ensuring equality in the primary health care system and empowering individuals and communities to exercise greater control over their health status.

“The honor and privilege that this recognition confers is beyond words. It recognizes the diligent efforts by health-care workers in the line of duty and is a testimony that, with great leadership, few resources, firm resolve and selfless service, we are able to achieve so much for the improved health and wellness of our peoples,” said Dr. Marcia Paltoo.

“Guyana’s IMAI Program is an inspiration for ministries of health everywhere. The work conducted by this program demonstrates how a collaborative and integrated effort can dramatically affect a nation’s health system to better meet the people’s health needs—especially those in underserved populations,” said Edward L. Kadunc, PAHEF president.

The Sérgio Arouca Award for Excellence in Universal Health Care was created in 2010 by the Secretary of Health of Brazil and PAHEF, in cooperation with PAHO. The award recognizes leaders who dedicated their efforts to advance, influence, and strengthen universal health-care programs in the region. One such leader was Dr. Sergio Arouca, a physician, scholar, and tireless champion of universal health care, working at the National School of Public Health, as Secretary of Health of Rio de Janeiro, and as Secretary of Social Participation in the Ministry of Health, Brazil. The award is one of six in the PAHO/PAHEF Awards for Excellence in Inter-American Public Health Program, which was established in 1975.

About PAHEF: The Pan American Health and Education Foundation (PAHEF) is dedicated to improving health in the Americas through health promotion, education, and training. Founded in 1968, PAHEF is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) public charity that works with the PAHO and other strategic partners in the Americas to mobilize resources and jointly address key health, education, and training priorities. With a deep knowledge of major health concerns and strong relationships with key stakeholders in the region, PAHEF builds successful partnerships and projects that advance health in the Americas. For more information regarding PAHEF, please visit: www.pahef.org

About PAHO: The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) was established in 1902 and is the world’s oldest international public health organization. It works with all the countries of the Americas to improve the health and quality of life of the people of the hemisphere and serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO). For more information regarding PAHO/WHO, please visit: www.paho.org

About the Awards: The PAHO/PAHEF Awards for Excellence in Inter-American Public Health, established in 1975, honor dedicated professionals who led the way in advancing health conditions in the Americas during the last century. The awards stimulate the growth of the next and rising generation of leaders working together to improve health and health care in the Americas. For each award, a jury of distinguished public health professionals is convened to review the nominations and recommend a winning candidate to the board of directors of PAHEF for approval.

Watch a video of the event here

Watch the interview with Dr. Marcia Paltoo here

Media Contacts:

Debora B. Freitas López                                               Vanessa Holsback
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