Appendix 2: Evaluation of the International Health Grants Program (2008–09 to 2012–13) – Framework for cooperation

Appendix 2: Framework for Cooperation: CANADA — Pan-American Health Organization

In an effort to strengthen Canada’s dialogue with PAHO as well as our joint action on global and regional health and development issues, Deputy Minister of Health Canada and the Director of PAHO signed the Framework for Cooperation between the Pan American Health Organization and the Department of Health in May 2010.

The Framework for Cooperation calls for heightened and focused cooperation between PAHO and Canadian government agencies and nongovernmental organizations in priority areas, including governance, health system strengthening, emerging and re-emerging diseases, chronic non-communicable diseases, health of indigenous peoples, gender and human rights, and research for evidence-based decision making.

PAHO and Canada, led by Health Canada, committed to cooperate in these areas through the participation of Canadian representatives in PAHO governing body meetings; exchange of information, lessons learned and best practices through participation in policy dialogues, regional networks, conferences, and on-going use of the PAHO — Canada portal; sharing of expertise through the provision of technical advice, exchange of specialists, scientists, and other health professionals from government departments and agencies, as well temporary assignments and secondment of staff, and internships; and joint preparation and publication of policy documents, strategies, and technical reports.

It was also envisaged that this would be done in cooperation with the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Canadian International Development Agency, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, the Permanent Mission of Canada to the Organization of American States, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the International Development Research Centre, and the PAHO/World Health Organization Collaborating Centres in Canada.

Some clear outcomes were agreed to for the cooperation between PAHO and Canada for 2010-2013. Following are some of the main ones:

• strengthened preparedness for outbreaks of infectious diseases, including influenza and pandemic preparedness, in an increased number of Member States of the Americas
• synergy between Canada and PAHO’s objectives and strategies on non-communicable diseases
• continued support for the implementation of the World Health Organization — Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in Latin America and the Caribbean
• continued partnerships in improving the health outcomes of the indigenous peoples of Canada and the Americas, especially with regard to physical and mental well-being
• strengthened capacity to define a medium- and long-term action agenda for incorporating social determinants of health interventions/approaches into the planning, policy and technical programming within PAHO
• contribution to PAHO’s leadership role in promoting good governance and partnerships with Member States, the United Nations system, and other stakeholders
• enhanced two-way flow of policy analysis, technical knowledge and learnings on health issues of common concern (models and best practices)