The urban park is intended for physical activity and the conservation of the diversity of native plant species of the Paraguayan Chaco, in line with the promotion of a healthy environment.
Boquerón, Paraguay, September 01, 2022 (PAHO/WHO) Within the framework of the activities to celebrate the 120th Anniversary of PAHO, the Pan American Health Organization, together with the Municipality of Boquerón and the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare (MSPyBS) through its XVI Sanitary Region, carried out a planting day of 120 native trees in the Plaza “July 30” of Boquerón.
The Municipality of Boquerón, which was recently created, is a detachment from the district of Mariscal Estigarribia and is 470 km from Asunción. His mayor, César Ignacio González, expressed his satisfaction with the activity held in Plaza 30 de Julio “which was designed as a park for health,” he said.
González congratulated PAHO on its anniversary and highlighted the organization’s work in health promotion, in addition to its support for health systems and services throughout the region. He promised to continue working together for the health of the local population. “Health is a fundamental human right and it is up to all actors to put in our best effort,” he stressed.
For his part, Dr. Marcelo Korc PAHO/WHO Representative in Paraguay indicated “we are honored to begin the festivities of our 120th anniversary of PAHO, here in the Chaco region. This act is also significant, because Boquerón is a new municipality and we are inaugurating a new cycle of recovery and valuing everything we have done so far, with an eye on how we continue this joint work in favor of the health of the local population ” .
In this way, the PAHO team in Paraguay had the wonderful opportunity to contribute to the physical and environmental health of Boquerón with a message of hope for future generations, which was possible through an alliance with local authorities and other actors present. in this area, such as social workers from UNICEF, the Philadelphia Lions Club, health teams from the Boquerón Family Health Unit (USF), nurses, vaccinators and medical staff.
Under the slogan “120 years working so that health reaches everyone with equity”, the planting of trees sought to highlight environmental public health as an intersection between the environment and public health. From this approach, the environmental factors that influence human health are addressed, including physical, chemical and biological factors, and all the behaviors related to these. Collectively, these conditions are called environmental determinants of health.
Addressing environmental determinants of health directly improves the health of populations. A healthy environment is vital to ensure a healthy life and promote well-being for all at all ages, as expressed in the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal.
120th Anniversary of the Pan American Health Organization
On December 2, 2022, the Pan American Health Organization will celebrate 120 years of constant work in the field of public health in the Region of the Americas, as well as collaboration and support to the countries of the Region to improve health and the well-being of its population.
Celebration activities promote pro-equity strategies to ensure universal access to health and universal health coverage, as well as the critical need for resilient health systems as we recover and rebuild from the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19.