Central American health ministers meet in Belize
When Belize assumed the pro-tempore presidency of the Central American Integration System in January; the appointment also meant heading the various bodies that fall under the organisation. One such group is the Council of Ministers of Health of Central America, COMISCA. Since Wednesday, members of COMISCA under the chairmanship of Minister of Health Jose Coye, have been meeting in Belize to discuss regional healthcare issues and ways to strengthen their organisation.
Jose Coye, Minister of Health
“We have looked at a policy for example, a regional policy for medications where we can strengthen our position in the purchasing, in the market, and of course to bring down the cost of medication because it is well known to be a high cost in the health sector. We’ve also had a response plan for the bird flu, which can, if not properly dealt with, become disastrous and undermine the development of our region. We have looked extensively at human resource development and at education and development for our health care providers.”
“If we can make the proposal of COMISCA being strengthened in the deliver of healthcare for the region, it will be historical, that will be a great step forward and I must say that all the other subsidiary issues, if I could call them such, that are needed if we do not build the capacity, we will not be able to deliver.”
Other topics discussed included HIV prevention strategies and nutritional security. The meeting ended today with the signing of a set of healthcare resolutions.
Jose Coye
“Reform is a process; it’s not an event. It’s more a journey that we’re on rather than a destination. And I would say that for every six months that COMISCA meets, COMISCA contributes tremendously to this region in terms of advancing healthcare. So to say if the goals have been met, certainly whatever we do throughout contributes towards the enhancement of health for the region and I would say, yes, I am very pleased.”
Alfredo Antonio Privado, Minister of Health, Guatemala
“We acknowledge the responsibility that this means for our country to have this pro-tempore presidency. And we also would like to continue with the analysis of all this things that have been discussed in these two days and also incorporate some other topics of great importance for the health of Central America and the Dominican Republic. Thank you.”
Signing that document will be one of the last acts that Coye will be performing as president of COMISCA as he hands over the reigns of the council to Guatemala at the end of the month. At today’s press conference, incoming president Alfredo Antonio Privado vowed to continue to work for improved healthcare in the region. For his part, Coye told the gathering that while progress is continuous, he is satisfied with the work of the organisation during the last six months.
