Trudy Simpson, Staff Reporter
GEBRE
AFTER SEVEN years as executive director of the National HIV/AIDS/STI control and prevention programme, Dr. Yitades Gebre is to leave the programme at the end of this month.
Dr. Gebre, who has already tendered his resignation to the Ministry of Health, is to assume a post with the World Health Organisation (WHO) through its regional office, the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO), in Washington.
The local PAHO office said he is expected to serve as an Advisor on Disease Prevention and Control with responsibility for areas such as the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos. He is expected to assume his new position on September 1, 2005.
"We are happy about his professional advancement but we are sad about this loss to our programme," said Grace Allen Young, the Health Ministry's permanent secretary.
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION
Dr. Peter Figueroa, chief of epidemiology and AIDS in the ministry, agreed. "He has made an outstanding contribution to the programme. He brought a lot of energy and commitment to the programme," he said.
Dr. Figueroa added: "His going will definitely be a loss so now we do have to look carefully at how best to replace him. We are sorry to see him go. We certainly wish him all the best ... (but) we are going to get on with the rest of the programme."
For his part, Dr. Gebre said he was pleased to be selected by PAHO and would miss Jamaica profoundly. "... I have no doubt that the (national) programme is in good hands with Dr. Figueroa so I don't have any worries about it," he added.
But others in the Ministry said Dr. Gebre's leaving would create additional stress in the Health Ministry which is already facing impending loss of staff, among them those who want to further their studies.
"This year is not going to be easy. We will have to take a deep breath, swallow hard and see how we can move on," said Dr. Deanna Ashley, director in the health promotions and protection division of the ministry.
