Acceptance Speech by the Director-Elect of the Pan American Sanitary Bureau

Abstract

"Today I am humbled. Humbled by the faith you have shown in me to lead this great Organization. For a woman from one of the smallest nations in the world to be elected to the helm of our distinguished and beloved PAHO is truly an honor and a privilege for me and my country, Dominica. I pledge to you that I shall do my best to live up to what I know are your high expectations. This year we celebrate PAHO’s 110th birthday as the leading health agency of the inter-American system, and its 64th year as WHO’s Regional Office for the Americas. Throughout its long history, PAHO has played a seminal role in the health development of this Region, and remains uniquely placed to catalyze progress in advancing public health. This is a time and an opportunity for renewal. Successful organizations must be able to simultaneously hold on to their proven core values and principles, and to innovate. Dr. Roses has provided great vision and leadership for PAHO over the last 10 years...Our Region is strong. We now see political stability and economic prosperity in the Region at unprecedented levels. At the same time, there are millions of people, some of them in our wealthiest Member States, that do not have access to the social determinants of health or the health care they desperately need. Seventy -four million people live in conditions of extreme poverty. This is a reflection of the inequities that afflict many of our Member States and our Region, and present a challenge to us all to strive for social justice, to ensure social inclusion, and to be proactive in addressing the needs of vulnerable and marginalized peoples...I close as I started, humbly assuming the role you have seen fit to grant me. Pledging to work with each and every one of you as we carry PAHO into the next phase of its long and illustrious history."