The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) launched on 13 November 2025 the regional report Primary health care policies and organization in South American countries.
This study, the result of an exhaustive review, analyzes the organization of primary health care (PHC) in nine countries in the Region: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay. The document explores lessons learned and challenges in key areas such as political leadership, governance, financing, community participation, and the development of people-centered models of care. The report offers strategic recommendations for moving toward more resilient and equitable health systems.
We invite you to join this space for reflection and dialogue on the report’s findings and recommendations, alongside principal investigators, regional experts, and PAHO authorities.
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AGENDA
Moderator: Natalia Houghton, Technical Officer, Primary Health Care Policy, Planning, and Evaluation, PAHO.
Opening
Welcome and background
- Ernesto Báscolo, Unit Chief, Primary Health Care and Integrated Service Delivery, PAHO
Presentation of the report: Main findings and lessons learned
- Patty Fidelis de Almeida, Institute of Collective Health, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Brazil
- Lígia Giovanella, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sérgio Arouca, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Brazil
Comments from the research team: Brief interventions by various team members
- Gilberto Ríos Ferreira, Universidad de la República, Uruguay
- Herland Tejerina Silva, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, Bolivia
- Román Vega Romero, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana de Cali, Colombia
Open dialogue with participants: Space for questions and reflections
Closing Remarks
- Ernesto Báscolo, Unit Chief, Primary Health Care and Integrated Service Delivery, PAHO