The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and the World Bank (WB) today launched the Alliance for Primary Health Care in the Americas (AxAPS), a collaboration to boost investment, innovation, and implementation of policies and initiatives aimed at transforming health systems in the region with a focus on primary health care.
The announcement comes at a time when countries are making efforts to recover from the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused a setback in many health indicators and highlighted the structural weaknesses of the health and social protection sectors to respond effectively to a public health emergency.
"Primary health care is our path to recover lost progress and an essential investment to address our greatest health and development challenges," said Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, PAHO Director, during the Regional Forum Alliance for Primary Health Care in the Americas, which runs through December 6 in Uruguay. "Creating this new alliance is more necessary than ever to accelerate action in the countries through collective and concerted action," he added.
It is estimated that one-third of the population of the Americas has unmet health care needs, even before the pandemic, and that percentage ranges from 55% in lower middle-income countries to 12% in high-income countries. In addition, they face serious inequalities in how health care is delivered, distributed, and made available to the population.
Primary health care can help close that gap by ensuring people receive comprehensive, quality care for their health needs across the lifespan - not just for a specific set of diseases - and as close as possible to their usual locations.
"To achieve effective and equitable primary health care, it is essential to take an intersectoral approach. This involves looking not only at the health field but also at other sectors, coordinating efforts among different stakeholders. The creation of this alliance represents a crucial step in this direction, providing a collaborative platform that supports our countries in this task," said Ana María Ibáñez, Vice President of Sectors and Knowledge at the IDB.
Strengthening PHC also implies making the necessary investments in health personnel, infrastructure, labor, and education. Currently, there is a deficit of 6 million health workers in the Americas, a gap that must be closed so that the health sector can provide the care people need and be more resilient in the face of future crisis situations.
"We celebrate the launch of the partnership for Primary Health Care in the Americas to promote healthy environments, prevent disease and save lives. We have a sense of urgency to strengthen primary care, expanding access, quality, equity, efficiency and resilience of the health system. Political commitment and the implementation of state policies are essential for the impact and benefit of people, our main common goal," said Carlos Felipe Jaramillo, Vice President for the Latin America and the Caribbean Region at the World Bank.
Countries around the world, including those in the Americas region, have committed to renewing and expanding primary health care as the cornerstone of a sustainable health system that will achieve access and universal health coverage, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to health and health security.
The new partnership between PAHO, the IDB and the World Bank can act as a catalyst to drive the necessary changes. This partnership will collectively support national PHC investment plans, provide guidance to countries to strengthen the resilience and capacity of their health systems, and cooperate to design and implement evidence-based interventions tailored to specific contexts and challenges.
The strategic partnership will also seek to promote innovative ways to ensure the right to health, including digital transformation, such as telehealth to better reach underserved areas, and new medicines and vaccines.
Note to editors
Primary health care (PHC) is a society-wide approach to health that aims to maximize the level and distribution of health and wellness services through three components: a) integrated health services focused on primary care and essential public health functions; b) multisectoral policy and action; and c) empowerment of individuals and communities.
Health systems built on the foundation of primary health care are essential to achieve universal access to health.
About the IDB
The Inter-American Development Bank is devoted to improving lives. Established in 1959, the IDB is a leading source of long-term financing for economic, social and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The IDB also conducts cutting-edge research projects and provides policy advice, technical assistance and training to public- and private-sector clients throughout the region.
About PAHO
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) works with the countries of the Americas to improve the health and quality of life of its population. Founded in 1902, it is the world’s oldest international public health agency. It serves as the Regional Office of WHO for the Americas and is the specialized health agency of the Inter-American system. www.paho.org.
About the World Bank
The World Bank has a bold vision: to create a world without poverty on a livable planet. The World Bank provides financing, advice, and innovative solutions that improve lives by creating jobs, strengthening economic growth, and addressing the world's most pressing development challenges. The World Bank is a leading source of financing and expertise for developing countries. It is comprised of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), an international development cooperative owned by 189 member countries, and the International Development Association (IDA), which provides grants and interest-free or low-interest loans to combat extreme poverty in the world's 75 poorest and most vulnerable countries. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org
Planes,Maria Soledad
Yuri Szabo Yamashita
Analia Oxandabarat
Media Team
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