A representative of the Pan American Health Organisation met with officials on the island this week to discuss health challenges facing Bermuda.

Ian Stein, PAHO’s representative to Jamaica, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands, left the island yesterday after a two-day visit

A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health said Mr Stein met with Kim Wilson, the Minister of Health, along with Ayoola Oyinloye, the chief medical officer, Christopher Fosker, the Bermuda Hospitals Board’s director of oncology and David Kendell, director of the Department of Health.

Ms Wilson said she was happy to welcome Mr Stein to the island as he familiarised himself with the countries that fall under his remit.

“We were also keen to provide him with insight to Bermuda’s successful Covid-19 vaccination programme which has surpassed the World Health Organisation’s goal of 70 per cent immunisation of a population ahead of the June 30 target,” Ms Wilson added.

“We were pleased to have been recognised as a vanguard for this region in this regard.”

The Pan American Health Organisation — which falls under the wider umbrella of the United Nations — is a global public health agency with a mission to improve the wellbeing and standard of living of the people who reside in the Americas.