key: cord-0997650-f14k075p
authors: King, Arlene; Andrus, Jon Kim; Figueroa, J Peter
title: Financial crisis at PAHO in the time of COVID-19: a call for action
date: 2020-07-02
journal: Lancet
DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(20)31489-6
sha: d389175f2655317284484a9f86a30cf6963b2bf2
doc_id: 997650
cord_uid: f14k075p

nan

This financial crisis could not have occurred at a worse time. The Americas have recorded the greatest COVID-19 morbidity and mortality of any region. As of June 25, 2020, the COVID-19 Information System for the Region of the Americas has recorded 4·6 million cases and 230 400 deaths in 54 countries. The trajectory is worsening.

Health security in the western hemisphere would be severely threatened without a functioning PAHO. Reserve funds will be exhausted by September, 2020. PAHO faces dire actions, including executing borrowing options and possible implementation of key staff furlough measures.

PAHO was established in 1902 to promote public health action against infectious disease threats. A core value was Pan-Americanism, expressed in the countries' commitment to work together to improve the health of populations living in the poorest countries. 2 Leadership and coordination at global and regional levels are pivotal to minimising morbidity and mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic. PAHO must work with all member states to ensure a sustained response to the pandemic and equitable access to vaccine, treatment, and supplies. As health services have been adversely affected by COVID-19, we must anticipate and respond to epidemicprone vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks as well as complications arising from disruption in the management of chronic diseases and cancer. This is a call to action to countries of the Americas to pay their outstanding contributions and avoid a financial crisis with known and unknown consequences. It is a call for all countries to work together to overcome the challenge of COVID-19 in the spirit of solidarity and protecting the health of all.

AK is Chair of the Regional Certification Commission for the Polio Endgame, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). JKA is Chair of the Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella Elimination, PAHO. JPF is Chair of the Technical Advisory Group for Vaccine Preventable Diseases, PAHO. We declare no competing interests.

Provisional agenda item 3.1. Current financial situation and adjustments to the Pan-American Health Organization strategic priorities

New vaccines for developing countries: will it be feast or famine?

For the COVID-19 Information System for the Region of the Americas see