Dr. Natalia Largaespada Beer, Technical Advisor for the Maternal and Child Health Unit of the Ministry of Health, was conferred with the 2018 Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Award for Health Service Management and Leadership at the 56th PAHO Directing Council Meeting in Washington, D.C.
The Award Committee for the PAHO Award for Health Service Management and Leadership 2018 chose Dr. Beer from a group of eight nominees submitted from countries including Bolivia, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Venezuela and Belize. The committee highlighted that Dr. Beer has shown “considerable achievements in the area of Maternal and Child Health, having proven to be a strong supporter in the use of data for decision-making on policies and programs.” It was also mentioned that Dr. Beer’s work has contributed to the strengthening of evidence-based, and people and community-centered public health strategies to improve the lives of people in vulnerable areas of Belize.
The Award Committee is comprised of the delegates of Antigua and Barbuda, Brazil, Canada and Panama. The group met on June 19th, 2018 to examine the candidates nominated by the member states. The Ministry of Health of Belize was officially informed on June 20th of Dr. Beer’s award which was officially conferred yesterday, September 24th, 2018 during the 56th PAHO Directing Council.
The award, which was initially termed the PAHO Award for Administration, dates back to 1969.
The Ministry of Health is proud of the outstanding work and selfless contributions made by Dr. Beer in Maternal and Child Health, to the health staff she works with, and for the people of Belize. On behalf of the Minister of Health Hon. Pablo Marin, the Chief Executive Officer, Director of Health Services, and other management staff including the wider health staff, the Ministry congratulates Dr. Natalia Largaespada Beer on this 2018 Health Service Management and Leadership Award.
