The Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, concluded a three-day visit to Canada from 27 to 29 April, focused on strengthening regional health cooperation and launching the 24th Vaccination Week in the Americas. Held in Ottawa for the first time, the campaign emphasized the urgent need to close immunization gaps as countries respond to rising measles cases and aim to reach millions of children who have not received full vaccination. The initiative underscored the importance of collective action to protect public health across the region.
During his visit, Dr. Barbosa held high-level discussions with Canadian officials, including Minister of Health Marjorie Michel and Secretary of State for International Development Randeep Sarai. Talks centered on shared priorities such as improving immunization coverage, addressing vaccine hesitancy, strengthening mental health integration into primary care, expanding vaccine production capacity, and advancing disease elimination efforts. Engagements with senior public health leaders also focused on enhancing collaboration in outbreak response, laboratory systems, and rebuilding public confidence in vaccines.
The visit further included meetings with representatives from Global Affairs Canada, research institutions, and private sector stakeholders to explore opportunities for deeper collaboration. Discussions highlighted Canada’s support for regional health initiatives and the role of PAHO’s pooled procurement mechanisms in improving access to vaccines and health technologies. A high-level roundtable also examined how Canada’s expertise in innovation and biomanufacturing could contribute to stronger and more resilient supply chains across the Americas.
Dr. Barbosa also engaged with Canadian parliamentarians and senators, emphasizing the interconnected nature of health security across the hemisphere and the importance of coordinated policy responses. Addressing the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, he highlighted that recent outbreaks such as dengue and avian influenza demonstrate the need for multilateral cooperation to address cross-border health threats.
The visit reinforced the longstanding partnership between Canada and PAHO, which spans more than five decades. Canada remains PAHO’s largest contributor, supporting a wide range of initiatives aimed at strengthening health systems, expanding access to care, and improving disease prevention across Latin America and the Caribbean. Dr. Barbosa concluded by highlighting that continued collaboration is essential to building resilient health systems and safeguarding populations against current and future health challenges.
