Washington DC, 21 November 2024 – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) participated in an international seminar on the sustainability of universal health systems, held in Brasília from October 28 to 31. The event was organized by Brazil’s National Council of Health Secretaries (CONASS in Spanish) with the support of PAHO. It brought together representatives from eight countries in the Region to discuss challenges and progress in building more resilient and equitable health systems in a post-pandemic context marked by access, coverage, and governance challenges.
Representing PAHO, James Fitzgerald, Director of the Department of Health Systems and Services (HSS), and Ernesto Báscolo, Chief of the Primary Health Care and Integrated Service Delivery Unit, delivered keynote presentations. Their interventions focused on the challenges currently facing the Region, emphasizing the need for stronger post-COVID-19 health systems, equity in access to services, and the strengthening of networks based on primary health care.
The seminar addressed priority topics such as sustainable financing, health emergency response, maternal mortality, care for vulnerable populations, and the integration of service networks grounded in primary health care. In this context, PAHO presented its ongoing initiatives to support countries in improving their health systems, with a focus on social participation and resilience.
PAHO also held bilateral meetings with key stakeholders, including the President of CONASS, Brazil’s Secretary of Primary Health Care, and other regional authorities. These meetings explored new opportunities for collaboration in areas such as financing Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS), advancing telemedicine, and improving access to medicines and health technologies. As a result, it was agreed to continue promoting knowledge exchange through international forums and annual events, allowing countries in the Region to share experiences and develop joint strategies.
The seminar concluded with a commitment to continue organizing international meetings to maintain open dialogue on the sustainability of health systems in the Americas. PAHO, together with CONASS and other regional partners, will continue working to ensure universal health systems are strengthened not only to address immediate challenges but also to prepare for future needs.
