PAHO - Pan American Health Organization
PAHO - Pan American Health Organization
03/19/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 03/19/2026 12:30
PAHO Engages Curaçao Leadership to Align Future Public Health Priorities
Willemstad, Curaçao, 19 March 2026 (PAHO/WHO) - The Pan American Health Organization strengthened its partnership with Curaçao during an official visit led by Dr Gabriel Vivas Francesconi, PAHO/WHO Representative for Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba, accompanied by Dr Michelle Harris, Advisor for Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health.
During the engagement, the PAHO/WHO delegation held courtesy meetings with His Excellency Mauritsz Johan de Kort, Governor of Curaçao and The Honourable Tyron Boekhoudt, Minister of Health, Environment and Nature. These exchanges offered a timely platform to acknowledge the new leadership, share PAHO/WHO's mandate and regional priorities and reaffirm the Organization's commitment to continued partnership with Curaçao in support of national public health objectives.
A key milestone was the presentation of the proposed PAHO Biennial Work Plan (BWP) 2026-2027 to representatives of the Ministry of Health, Environment and Nature. Discussions focused on alignment between PAHO/WHO's technical cooperation and Curaçao's national priorities, with emphasis on sustainable, evidence-based approaches. Technical advisors from the PAHO/WHO Trinidad and Tobago Country Office joined virtually to support the planning exchange.
Attention also turned to the development of the Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS), which will provide the overarching framework guiding PAHO/WHO engagement with Curaçao in the coming years.
In addition, Dr Harris took the opportunity to convene in-person program meetings with Ms Jeanine Constansia-Kook, Policy Director at the Ministry of Health, Environment and Nature, and subject-matter focal points to identify opportunities across priority areas, including mental health, noncommunicable diseases, and care for older persons.
A meeting at the Curaçao Medical Center (CMC), led by Dr Johan de Graaf, Chief Executive Officer, also offered practical insight into service pathways and quality-improvement priorities. Discussions highlighted potential access to essential medicines and health supplies through the PAHO Strategic Fund and CMC's interest in technical support toward Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative accreditation to advance maternal and infant health outcomes.
The visit concluded with agreement on clear next steps to advance joint planning and sustain close coordination. Follow-up actions will include targeted consultations on community mental health, noncommunicable disease planning, collaboration with the Council for the Elderly, and enhanced use of the PAHO Strategic Fund. Additional consultations will inform CCS development, ensuring continued alignment with Curaçao's national health priorities and providing a clear framework to guide PAHO cooperation in the coming years.
PAHO remains committed to supporting Curaçao through tailored cooperation that contributes to resilient health systems and improved health outcomes for all.
PAHO - Pan American Health Organization published this content on March 19, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 19, 2026 at 18:30 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]