The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) yesterday expressed sorrow at the passing of its former Director, Dr. Carissa F. Etienne. She was 71.
She was a native of Dominica and served as Director of PAHO and Regional Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) for the Americas from February 2013 to January 2023.
“Carissa was a dear friend and colleague, and under her steadfast leadership and guidance, PAHO achieved significant milestones for the region of the Americas while facing one of our greatest public health challenges with COVID-19,” PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa said. “I am very saddened by her passing, and my thoughts are with her family, friends and all of us at PAHO who cared deeply for her”, he said, according to a statement from PAHO.
During Dr. Etienne’s tenure, the statement said that PAHO led the response to the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic as well as efforts to control Zika and chikungunya epidemics and cholera and yellow fever outbreaks in Haiti and Brazil, while significantly improving the Organization’s response to emergencies and disasters within 48 hours.
It added that under her leadership, the Americas eliminated the endemic transmission of measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome, and made “considerable strides” in the prevention and control of chronic non-communicable diseases.
Advances were also made in strengthening national health systems and in progress toward universal health.
Prior to becoming PAHO Director, the statement said that from March 2008 to November 2012, Dr. Etienne served as Assistant Director-General for Health Systems and Services at the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland. Before that, she served as Assistant Director of the Pan American Sanitary Bureau from July 2003 to February 2008, where she led five technical areas: Health Systems and Services; Technology, Health Care, and Research; Health Surveillance and Disease Management; Family and Community Health; and Sustainable Development and Environmental Health.
“We have lost a great public health champion,” Dr. Barbosa said. “Dr. Etienne’s invaluable experience will be sorely missed in global health discussions to improve the lives of people and to ensure better preparedness for global health emergencies.”
Guyana’s Ministry of Health also expressed condolences. It said that Etienne died yesterday from a heart attack at the age of 71.
In December 2022, on one of her last visits to Guyana when Guyana’s Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, hosted a national farewell for her, she committed PAHO to an enhanced collaboration with Guyana’s public health sector. Even at the end of her term as Director, Dr. Etienne looked out for the health and welfare of the Guyanese people, the ministry statement said.
“Guyana benefitted enormously from Dr Etienne’s tenure as Director of PAHO between 2013 and 2023. During her tenure as Director of PAHO, she led PAHO’s drive to meet the goals of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) as articulated in the SDGs 2030. In this regard, Dr Etienne committed resources and human capital to assist Guyana in meeting her targets for UHC. In Particular, Dr Etienne was passionate that the UHC model catalyzes the promotion of health services to tackle the scourge of the Non- Communicable Diseases (NCDs). The HEART Programme in Guyana is an example of how under her leadership, PAHO guided the introduction of UHC in our country”, the ministry said.
“We regret the untimely passing of Dr Etienne at the tender age of 71. Guyana has lost a true friend, but our systems are stronger because of the passion and commitment of Dr. Carissa Etienne. The Minister of Health expresses his loss of a friend who has stood by him since he assumed his position as Minister in August 2020. The Minister expresses his gratitude for Dr. Etienne’s support particularly during the crucial period when COVID-19 was ravaging the region”, it added.
