The Dominican doctor who helmed the region’s public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic, earning one of Barbados’ highest awards, died on Friday at age 71.
Dr Carissa Etienne’s death was confirmed by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) from which she retired in January after 10 years as its director. It did not give a cause of death but media reports said the PAHO Director Emeritus passed away in the early hours after collapsing at her home in Maryland, just outside Washington.
Joining health officials at the national and regional level in mourning her death, Prime Minister Mia Mottley described Dr Etienne as a cherished friend of Barbados. Last year, in recognition of her leadership during the pandemic, she was conferred with the Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados.
Mottley recalled the late public health official’s continuous guidance and support, emphasising her pivotal role during the pandemic. She said she was “shocked and deeply saddened” to learn about Dr Etienne’s untimely death. The two spoke less than a month ago, she siad.
“Whether at midnight or midday, she was one of the few people who was most there for our country and our people when we most needed it,” Mottley wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “It was for this reason that the Government awarded her the Honorary Freedom of Barbados in 2022.”
Chief Medical Officer Dr Kenneth George, who closely collaborated with Dr Etienne, called her passing a significant loss for the region. He acknowledged the PAHO leader’s crucial assistance to Barbados during the COVID-19 crisis, providing technical and financial support.
Dr Jarbas Barbosa, who succeeded Dr Etienne as PAHO director, recognised her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as her contributions to addressing other health challenges in the Americas.
Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to Washington Ronald Sanders, the current President of the Permanent Council of the Organisation of American States (OAS), praised her efforts in steering the countries of the Western Hemisphere through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, securing vaccines, and ensuring essential medical facilities for the region.
The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) joined the global community in mourning Dr Etienne’s passing. OECS Director General Dr Didacus Jules spoke highly of her contributions to regional leadership and dedication to public health. He emphasised Dr Etienne’s commitment to addressing health inequities, infectious diseases, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), and mental health in the Americas.
Dr Etienne came to PAHO after a 12-year tenure as Director of Primary Health Care Services in Dominica’s Ministry of Health after serving as Chief Medical Officer.
Beginning in 1989, she oversaw a raft of health care reforms in her homeland, including the introduction of universal primary health care coverage and raising immunisation coverage rates to 95 per cent. She also led the widening of coverage for prenatal care and deliveries by trained birth attendants and access to continuous care for chronic non-communicable diseases.
Globally recognised as a public health champion and advocate, Dr Etienne was elected to lead PAHO in September 2012 and was re-elected for a second five-year term in September 2017. She had served in the top echelons of global public health for 20 years, as assistant director of the Pan American Sanitary Bureau from 2003 to 2008 and from 2008 to 2012 as Assistant Director-General for Health Systems and Services at the World Health Organisation in Geneva, Switzerland.
She also challenged the region to make good on the pledges to introduce universal health care and strengthen their health care systems.
“My vision for the Americas is of a society free from inequality where everyone, particularly the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people, can lead healthy, meaningful and productive lives,” said Dr Etienne as she began her second five-year term as PAHO director. “One of my top priorities is ensuring that everyone has access to quality health services without fear of being impoverished.”
(EJ)
