PAHO NEWS----- November 1, 2001
PAHO News Index: http://www.csih.org/Pahonews/index.html
In this issue:
***PAHO NEWS***
-NOVEMBER 14 IS WORLD DIABETES DAY
-PRINCIPLES GUIDING PAHO RELATIONS WITH NGOs
-SUMA HUMANITARIAN RELIEF MANAGEMENT SYSTEM RECEIVES INTERNATIONAL AWARD
-PANAFTOSA TURNS 50
-CONFERENCE TO DISCUSS MENTAL HEALTH IN THE AMERICAS
-LATIN AMERICA, CARIBBEAN URGED TO PLAN FOR BIOTERRORISM
-UPCOMING MEETING: "DISASTER RISK REDUCTION HEMISPHERIC CONFERENCE"
-STANDARDIZING STUDIES OF RISK FACTORS COULD HELP PREVENT AND CONTROL
NONCOMMUNICABLE DISEASES
-PAHO JOB OPPORTUNITY: EPIDEMIOLOGIST- CERVICAL CANCER
-PAHO JOB OPPORTUNITY: OFFICE ASSISTANT
-PAHO'S CARIBBEAN PROGRAM SEEKS SHORT TERM CONSULTANT
-PAHO SEEKS CANADIAN CONSULTANT FOR WORKERS' HEALTH PROJECT
-PAHO SEEKS CANADIAN CONSULTANT FOR SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH PROJECT
-PAHO PUBLICATION: ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE IN THE AMERICAS: MAGNITUDE AND
CONTAINMENT OF THE PROBLEM
-
NOVEMBER 14 IS WORLD DIABETES DAY
World Diabetes Day is the primary global awareness campaign of the diabetes
world. It aims to raise public awareness of the causes, symptoms,
treatment and complications associated with the condition. It also serves
as an important reminder that the incidence of this serious condition is
still on the increase.
World Diabetes Day will be held November 14, 2001 and celebrated in over
130 countries worldwide by the member associations of the International
Diabetes Federation (IDF). This year's theme is "Reducing the burden:
Diabetes and cardiovascular disease." In recent years, activities have
included help-lines, radio shows, sporting events, free blood screening
tests, public information meetings and poster and leaflet campaigns.
There are several ways to get involved with this year's celebration. If you
are an individual concerned with diabetes you can contact your local
diabetes association and find out what's happening in your part of the
world. If you are a member of a National Diabetes Association, you may
contact the IDF Public Relations Manager to find out more about how to
celebrate World Diabetes Day in your country. If your corporation would
like to get involved and contribute to this global awareness campaign,
please contact the IDF Executive Director who will be happy to provide you
with further information.
Visit the IDF website at http://www.idf.org for more information.
~~~~~~~~~~~
PRINCIPLES GUIDING PAHO RELATIONS WITH NGOs
This document states the principles gouverning relations between PAHO and
NGOs. It includes informal and official working relations and describes the
procedure for review of collaboration. It also lists the privileges and
responsibilities of NGOs in their relations with PAHO. This document is
available in PDF format:
http://www.paho.org/English/DEC/Principles_Guiding_Relations_with_NGOs.pdf
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SUMA HUMANITARIAN RELIEF MANAGEMENT SYSTEM RECEIVES INTERNATIONAL AWARD
SUMA, a tool developed by PAHO to manage relief supplies for victims of
disaster situations, has received a Stockholm Challenge Award; These
awards recognize pioneering information technology projects around the
world. To view the press release, click here:
http://www.paho.org/English/PED/sumainfo.htm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PANAFTOSA TURNS 50
The Pan American Foot-and-Mouth Disease Centre (PANAFTOSA) is commemorating
its fiftieth anniversary this year. The XXVIII Brazilian Veterinary
Congress, to be held on November 11, 2001 will introduce an official act
for the fifty years of PANAFTOSA. You can learn more about the PANAFTOSA
by clicking here: http://www.paho.org/English/HCP/HCV/doc496.pdf (pdf
document).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CONFERENCE TO DISCUSS MENTAL HEALTH IN THE AMERICAS
PAHO is working with National Institute of Mental Health of the United
States to organize a symposium on mental health in the Americas, to be held
in Washington, D.C. on November 5 and 6, 2001. This conference will bring
together representatives of various sectors that can contribute to the
progress of Mental Health in the Americas to discuss the needs, experiences
and priorities in the area of Mental Health and to lay the foundations for
the development of alliances in the Region. The expected results of the
Conference include the development of a plan of action to implement
effective mental health policies and programs; an agenda of collaboration
in the areas of education and research; and a regional strategy for the
dissemination of mental health information. For more information, click
here: http://www.paho.org/English/HPP/HPM/MeetingNovEng.htm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LATIN AMERICA, CARIBBEAN URGED TO PLAN FOR BIOTERRORISM
A group of disaster experts today reviewed recommendations that all
countries in Latin America and the Caribbean should make plans to deal with
the threat of bioterrorism, with plans that include detection, diagnosis
and response. For more information, click here:
http://www.paho.org/English/DPI/pr011026.htm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
UPCOMING MEETING: "DISASTER RISK REDUCTION HEMISPHERIC CONFERENCE"
DECEMBER 4-6, 2001. SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA
As a follow-up to the Third Summit of the Americas held in Quebec City in
April of this year, the Governments of Costa Rica and the United States
are co-hosting this hemispheric conference to focus on Disaster Risk
Reduction, with emphasis on disaster prevention and mitigation activities
as they relate to development (disaster response and
preparedness issues will not be addressed.)
For more information, consult the Conference web site:
http://www.ofdalac.org/summit/. Registration is open to all sectors and
agencies and registration forms are available on the web site. Please note
the deadline is November 15, 2001.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
STANDARDIZING STUDIES OF RISK FACTORS COULD HELP PREVENT AND CONTROL
NONCOMMUNICABLE DISEASES
Prevention and control of heart disease and other chronic, noncommunicable
diseases could be greatly aided if a more standardized approach were
applied in studying risk factor prevalence, according to an article
published in the September issue of the Pan American Journal of Public
Health. The article proposes a standardized "assessment tool" with 19
questions to evaluate a given prevalence study's usefulness. While this
article focuses on hypertension, a similar methodology could be used with
other risk factors for noncommunicable diseases, according to the article's
co-authors. There will be a follow-up case study in the October issue of
the Journal. http://www.paho.org/English/DBI/ES/v10n3-silva.htm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PAHO JOB OPPORTUNITY: EPIDEMIOLOGIST- CERVICAL CANCER
The Vacancy Notice and application information for this post are available
on the PAHO website at http://www.paho.org, under Job Opportunities.
VACANCY NOTICE: 01/PAHO/039
TITLE: EPIDEMIOLOGIST- CERVICAL CANCER
GRADE: P.4
POST NUMBER: .6214
LOCATION: Washington, DC
ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION/UNIT: Division of Disease Prevention and Control
(HCP), Non-Communicable Diseases (HCN)
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: 16 November 2001
REQUIREMENTS: A doctoral qualification with a postgraduate degree to at
least the master's level in Epidemiology. Formal training must include
substantial quantitative methods, as applied to public health
interventions. Very good knowledge of English and Spanish.
EXPERIENCE: Nine years of combined national and international professional
experience in designing and evaluating programs and activities which
involve social communication and programs. Experience in the development
of advocacy strategies. Participation in technical cooperation programs.
DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:
-Advises on the development of a system to evaluate programs for the
prevention and control of cervical cancer;
-Design operations research to evaluate demonstration projects for the
prevention of cervical cancer;
-Identify, train and organize local partners to participate in the
execution of the operations research;
-Design a study to evaluate the safety, effectiveness and costs of
different screening and treatment algorithms for cervical cancer in low
resource settings;
-Coordinate/ supervise regional and country working team for the project
"Prevention of Cervical Cancer"
-Review the quality of available data to be used in the development of
information systems;
-Conduct and analyze pilot studies, as appropriate, for the establishment
of information systems and program evaluation;
-Prepare documentation to disseminate relevant scientific and technical
information from the results of the work performed;
-Participate in the epidemiology working group with members of the Alliance
for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer
-Perform other duties as assigned
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PAHO JOB OPPORTUNITY: OFFICE ASSISTANT
TITLE: Office Assistant
POST NUMBER: .1099
LEVEL: G04/1
LOCATION: Washington, D.C.
DIVISION/ PROGRAM/ OFFICE: HEP/ HES
TENURE: Two years
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
-High school diploma or secondary education with formal training in the
commercial or secretarial fields equivalent to high school diploma and four
years of general office or secretarial work experience.
SKILLS:
-Word processing in English and Spanish in accordance with established
standards.
-Proficiency in the use of computer software in accordance with assigned
responsibilites.
-Ability to write/ originate routine correspondence and reports in English
and Spanish.
-Ability to prepare working translations.
-Ability to organize and carry out administrative processes such as
meetings, preparation of formal publications, acquisition of supplies and
equipment, preparation of reports etc...
LANGUAGES: Very good knowledge of English and Spanish.
CLOSING DATE: November 14, 2001.
Qualifications indicated in this vacancy are minimum requirements.
Candidates who are less qualified will not be considered.
To apply, visit PAHO's website at:
http://pahoapl.paho.org/pahoexternalenglish/ASEPage_JobList.asp?TS=10300
114953PM& and select the "Office Assistant" job posting.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PAHO'S CARIBBEAN PROGRAM SEEKS SHORT-TERM CONSULTANT
PROJECT TITLE: Monitoring Hydrocarbon Products in Ground Water in Barbados.
CONTRACT LENGTH: 10 working days, including 5 days in Barbados.
EXPECTED RESULT: The output of this consultancy will assist the Ministry of
Physical Development and Envrionment of Barbados to define a policy
guideline for monitoring of hydrocarbon compounds in ground water in
Barbados.
SCOPE OF WORK: The consultant will:
-Review existing information on hydrocarbon pollution in Barbados.
-Assess the relative risk of ground water pollution from hydrocarbons in
Barbados .
-Assist the EED, with the identification of monitoring sites at abstraction
sources and in the distribution network.
-Hold discussion with the relevant officials from the Ministry of Health,
from Barbados Water Authorities, Environmental Health Department, the
Environmental Engineering Division, Analytical services Laboratory, and the
Ministry of Environment.
-Review information on legislation and regulations.
-Assess strengths and weakness of legislation and regulations in view of
enforcement to protect ground water from pollution from hydrocarbon
products. (NB: particularly powers of the EED to reduce pollution for
landbased hydrocarbon spills for example the experience of Gibbons Boggs
aviation fuel leak in 1996.)
-Review laboratory data to estimate presence of hydrocarbon compounds in
potable water in Barbados and order/recommend appropriate tests for
obtaining such data.
-Prepare a standard operating procedure identifying acceptable methods for
sampling and analysis for hydrocarbons, total petroleum hydrocarbons and
Benzene, Toluene, Ethylene and Xyelene (BTEX). Indicate procedures,
equipment and instruments necessary to collect and analyze samples and
report results.
-Assess training needs to conduct hydrocarbon tests in Barbados.
-Make recommendations on overall guidelines to follow to have an efficient
monitoring program for hydrocarbon products in ground water, including
training for relevant staff.
-Present a report in draft within two weeks after the end of the
consultancy on hardcopy and diskette in WORD
REMUNERATION: Negotiable based on existing project budget (+ USD $177 per
diem)
DATES: November or early December, 2001. Please note: you must be
available to travel to Barbados during the month of November or early
December 2001.
HOW TO APPLY: Please send your cv, with a letter of interest, to:
Eng. Harry Phillipeaux
Caribbean Program Coordinator
PAHO/ CPC Barbados
FAX: 1(246) 436-9779
EMAIL: [log in to unmask]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PAHO SEEKS CANADIAN CONSULTANT FOR WORKERS' HEALTH PROJECT
(DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 15, 2001)
Under the supervision of PAHO and Caribbean governments, the consultant
will participate for a three-month period in the "Workers' Health and
Health Sector Reform Project" to improve human health and quality of
environment in the workplaces of the Caribbean. The goal of this project
is to contribute to the reduction of morbidity and mortality from chronic
and communicable diseases, as well as to improve the quality of human
health
and the environment in workplaces.
The consultant will:
-Meet with officials in the public and private sectors of the Bahamas, St.
Vincent and the Grenadines and Dominica to ascertain the status
of National Workers' Health plans and programs (policies).
-Review workers' health plan, policy and legislation in light of country
structures to manage workers' health priorities and promote effective
strategies to increase awareness of health and safety in the working
environment.
-Assist in the drafting of national policy on workers' health.
-Assess the knowledge-base of professionals involved in the workers' health
program.
-Assist PAHO in the development of local training curricula in workers'
health.
-Meet with relevant stakeholders: government, trade unions, NGOs, community
groups and private sector.
-Draft project proposals for mobilization of resources.
-Provide of technical advice and assistance as required.
This project will establish a fundamental mechanism for a healthy working
population and will facilitate the sustainable development of the selected
countries.
Interested candidates with expertise in workers' health are asked to
contact Helene Thibault, Program Manager for CSIH-PAHO Liaison via email
only at: [log in to unmask] by November 15th at the latest.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PAHO SEEKS CANADIAN CONSULTANT FOR SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH PROJECT
Under the supervision of Dr. Graciela Uriburu, PAHO/ WHO Representative in
Belize, the consultant will participate for a three-month period in the
"Sexual and Reproductive Health Project" to investigate the reasons behind
Belize's high level of maternal mortality. The consultant will produce a
comprehensive study and analysis of the causes of maternal mortality in
Belize for use by the country in planning specific intervention strategies
to decrease the level of maternal mortality.
The consultant will:
-Work with the Ministry of Health to identify and review epidemiological
data /relevant documents regarding maternal mortality.
-Work with identified focal points in the Ministry of Health to design
methodology and instruments for the study.
-Work with the Ministry of Health to hold workshop(s) with stakeholders
(in the private and public sectors) including the Statistical Unit, heads
of other institutions, obstetricians, gynecologists and pediatricians to
discuss the project, including methodology and the instrument to be used.
-Pretest the instrument at Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital and District
Hospitals.
-Redesign instrument with changes identified.
-Carry out the survey.
-Analyze the data and prepare a report.
-Conduct a workshop with the stakeholders to discuss i) the findings of
the study and ii) the way forward / strategies to address the problem.
-Review and prepare a proposal to develop or strengthen the surveillance
system.
The project will provide data and analysis that could be used to plan
intervention programs in support of country efforts to promote safe
motherhood, reduce maternal mortality and establish a surveillance system.
Interested candidates with expertise in sexual and reproductive health are
asked to contact Helene Thibault, CSIH-PAHO Liaison via email only at:
[log in to unmask] as soon as possible.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
PAHO PUBLICATION: ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE IN THE AMERICAS: MAGNITUDE AND
CONTAINMENT OF THE PROBLEM
A recent PAHO publication titled "Antimicrobial Resistance in the Americas:
Magnitude and Containment of the Problem" deals with one of the most
dangerous consequences of inadequate responses to the threats of
bioterrorism. The American Medical Association (AMA), publisher of JAMA, is
advising physicians not to give antibiotic prescriptions "just in case" of
an anthrax attack. The AMA suggest that patients could take the antibiotics
unnecessarily leading to greater antibiotic resistance. The AMA notes that
antibiotic resistance is a public health threat in its own right.
Available in English and Spanish, this publication is offered at a
discounted price of $21.00 USD for a limited time. To purchase this
publication, visit the PAHO online bookstore at:
http://publications.paho.org/english/moreinfo.cfm?Product_ID=614
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Claire Wilkins
PAHO Liaison and Administrative Assistant
Canadian Society for International Health
One Nicholas St., Suite 1105
Ottawa, ON K1N 7B7 Canada
Tel: (613) 241-5785 ext. 329 / Fax (613) 241-3845
[log in to unmask]
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