A Regional Call to Arms (1946 - 1958)
 
Chronology of Events
 
Following World War II, once again the sobering reality of war, death, and destruction convinced the countries of the world that they should seek the means to ensure peace and build a better world. Representatives from 50 nations met in 1945 to set up the United Nations. Shortly thereafter, delegates from Brazil and China recommended that an international health organization be established and methods of associating it with existing institutions be developed. At a meeting in 1946, a panel of 16 public health experts recommended that this new agency be called the World Health Organization. Other international health organizations were absorbed into the WHO. However, regional health agencies established by multilateral intergovernmental agreement were brought into relationship with the World Health Organization while remaining autonomous. The Pan American Sanitary Bureau was the sole example of this type of regional agency. 

On May 24,1949 a formal agreement established the relationship between the WHO and the Bureau, and the Bureau was converted into the Regional Office of the World Health Organization while maintaining its own identity. From 1946 to 1956 three Pan American Centers were created, and the focus of the Bureau was no longer on the preventing the passing of diseases from one country to another or on merely controlling them, but on eradicating diseases at their very source.

 
 
Chronology of Events
1946 International Health Conference  
  • Advocated principle of dual allegiance for Pan American Sanitary Bureau, by promoting regional health and serve as WHO regional committee in Western Hemisphere
1946 World Health Organization constitution approved by 61 states Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama set up in Guatemala
1947 XII Pan American Sanitary Conference – Caracas, Venezuela  
  • Reaffirmed desire to cooperate with and participate in WHO but were not interested in having the Bureau absorbed into WHO
  • Reorganized Bureau into Pan American Sanitary Organization
  • Elected Dr. Fred L. Soper as next Director of PASO
1949 Formal agreement with WHO, Pan American Health Organization recognized as Regional Office of WHO
1950 Six Decentralized Zones Set Up to cover specific regions  

Zone 1: Washington,DC  

Zone2: Mexico City  

Zone 3: Guatemala City  

Zone 4:Lima, Peru  

Zone 5: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil  

Zone 6: Buenos Aires, Argentina

1951 Pan American Foot-and-Mouth Center established in Rio de Janeiro
1956 Pan American Zoonoses Center established in Buenos Aires