Roseau, Dominica- January 8, 2024— The Official Funeral for the late Dr. Carissa Faustina Etienne will be held on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 2:00pm at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Newtown.

The Government of Dominica has accorded an Official Funeral to the late Dr. Etienne in honour of her outstanding contribution to public health administration in Dominica and as Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) from 2013-2023.

A Day of Mourning has been declared for Wednesday, January 10, the day of the funeral, and all state flags on all public buildings shall be flown at half-mast.

The official viewing is set for 9:00am to 12:00 noon at the State House Conference Center and public viewing will take place at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church from 1:00pm to 1:45pm.

Dr. Carissa F. Etienne is credited for leading PAHO’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the region of the Americas, as well as for efforts to control the Zika and chikungunya epidemics and cholera and yellow fever outbreaks in Haiti and Brazil.

She was Assistant Director-General of the World Health Organization from 2008 – 2013; Assistant Director of the Pan American Health Organization from 2003 – 2008;

“Building a Resilient Public Service: A Collective Response”

and Director of Primary Health Care Services, Ministry of Health, Dominica 1989 – 2001. She had previously served as Chief Medical Officer, Coordinator of the National HIV/AIDS Programme, National Epidemiologist, and Medical Director at the then Princess Margaret Hospital.

Official mourners, including Her Excellency the President, the Honourable Prime Minister, Speaker of the House of Assembly and Government Ministers will attend her funeral service.

The funeral mass will be broadcast live via government media platforms and radio stations.

The Government of Dominica extends deepest condolences to the family and friends of the late Dr. Carissa Faustina Etienne.