The Tribune

Dr Merceline Dahl-Regis, a physician and pioneer in the public health sector added a new title to her long list of achievements: “Public Health Hero of the Americas”.

The Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) honoured Dr Dahl-Regis with the distinguished award on May 2, 2018 at Government House for her work in the advancement and verification of regional disease elimination efforts.

On hand to celebrate Dr Dahl-Regis’ achievement were several supporters and dignitaries. Among them were Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands, and Dr Carissa F Etienne, PAHO director.

In a special video presentation, colleagues reflected on how Dr Dahl-Regis revolutionised the Bahamian public health system. Those featured in the video included Dr Ronald Knowles, former Minister of Health the Bahamas; Elma Garraway, former permanent secretary in Ministry of Health and Education; Dr Cherita Moxey, NCD coordinator officer of the Bahamian Ministry of Health; Dr Rudy Cummings of the CARICOM Secretariat for Guyana, and Dr Jon Andrus of the PAHO regional office.

During her acceptance speech, Dr Dahl Regis, who served as the Chief Medical Officer of the Bahamas from 1997 to 2014, spoke about what the Bahamian medical sector achieved in making immunisation more affordable and accessible, paying tribute to governments and PAHO leadership in the region.

“Without the commitment from our governments, all prime ministers, and without solidarity and effective leadership from our leaders at PAHO and at home, we would not be celebrating these achievements,” she said.

“The revolving fund of PAHO is one of the best examples of Pan Americanism that allows our countries to access quality, affordable vaccines for a period until we can pay. Vaccines were not always affordable. “In the Bahamas now, we offer immunisation against 17 vaccine preventable diseases in the public sector and private sector free of charge and the revolving fund has helped us do that.”

The May 2 award was the not the first accolade PAHO has accorded Dr Dahl- Regis. In 2009, the organisation conferred on her the PAHO Administration Award for her contribution to health care management and research, and medical education in primary healthcare. This honour acknowledged her leadership in institutionalising public health surveillance across all of the Bahamas, and in evaluating and redefining the parameters for the Caribbean Cooperation in Health.

Prime Minister Dr Minnis, himself a physician, said the contributions of his former colleague have helped move the local medical field forward.

“It is a matter of great pride that through the technical expertise of Dr Merceline Dahl-Regis the Bahamas has been able to make significant contributions to this work of PAHO in interventions associated with efforts to eliminate vaccine preventable diseases,” he said.

“I thank you on behalf of the government and people of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas for the many years that you have given in service to the Bahamas and to the world. You are a national treasure. Let me also thank your family and friends for their support for you over the decades. Your work has helped to save lives. Your country owes you a tremendous gratitude. Generations to come will benefit from your vision and dedication.”

Dr Sands described Dr Dahl-Regis’ achievement as an outstanding feat for the local public health system.

“Tonight we are here to honour a Bahamian giant who has contributed mightily to our national development,” he said. “The award that is being conferred upon Dr Dahl-Regis for outstanding promotion of public health is well deserved, and while we have acknowledged her contributions to the advancement of the Bahamas – tonight’s celebration frames the magnitude and impact of her work, as we see it, as a magnificent complement to her international accomplishments. It is good that our people can see and feel that the esteem which she has earned nationally, is further validated by our international partners.”

Dr Regis-Dahl said she was proud of the support of her family and hard work of her team over the years.

“Tonight, history records that one whose roots are from Fresh Creek, Andros, and Cunningham Lane, Nassau, is recognised for her hard work in public health and in particular, for the promotion of a strategy that prevented children from being born with the effects of the rubella virus.

“To PAHO, and the committee who selected me, I say a heartfelt thank you and leave you with words of Archbishop Desmond Tutu – ‘I am because we are’,” said Dr Dahl-Regis.

In addition to her award, Dr Dahl-Regis is also known for her leadership of the International Expert Committee (IEC) for verification of the elimination of measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome, as well as, for her advocacy and support of the regional Dual Elimination Initiative, aimed at eliminating mother-to-child transmission of syphilis and HIV in the Americas. She was recently invited to contribute her expertise on disease elimination at WHO’s Global Validation Advisory Committee.

According to PAHO’s website: “Over the years the PAHO has recognised Public Health Heroes for their invaluable contributions to public health in the Americas. They come from a broad spectrum of backgrounds and fields of work and share one common goal; improving the health and well-being of the peoples of the Western Hemisphere. These Public Health heroes represent a select few among the countless heroes behind the ongoing struggles and remarkable achievements in the quest for a healthy Americas.”– TCL Group