Report: webinar # 1: Assessing access barriers to achieve universal health in the era of COVID-19

On April 23, 2021, the Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization (PAHO / WHO) begun a webinar series that delved into the renewed framework of the Essential Public Health Functions (EPHF). The webinar series, organized by the Health Services and Access Unit of the Department of Health Systems and Services (HS / HSS) will address, during the rest of the year and on a monthly basis, different methodological tools and practical lessons arising from country experiences to strengthen public health functions and achieve an impact on access and health outcomes for the population. Approximately 700 people from 43 countries participated in the first meeting of the series in which some experiences in the evaluation of access barriers and the challenges that these barriers present to achieve Universal Health in times of COVID-19 have been addressed..