Washington, D.C., 20 May 2026 - More than 30 authorities and technical experts from the region participated in the first virtual follow-up meeting of the year of the Network of National Health Funds in the Americas (REFSA, for its Spanish acronym), a platform aimed at strengthening the management, equity, and financial sustainability of health systems in the Region.
The meeting was jointly coordinated by Dárcio Guedes, President of REFSA and Director of the National Health Fund of Brazil, and Ernesto Báscolo, Chief of the Primary Health Care and Integrated Service Delivery Unit at PAHO/WHO.
This session provided continuity to the work plans and strategic agreements established during the in-person meeting held in Santiago, Chile, in 2025. The virtual session was attended by experts from the World Bank and representatives from the member institutions of the Network: the National Health Fund (FNS) of Brazil, the National Health Fund (FONASA) of Chile, the Secretariat of Health of Mexico, the Comprehensive Health Insurance (SIS) of Peru, and the National Integrated Health System (SNIS/FONASA) of Uruguay.
The main purpose was to advance the joint work agenda, identifying priorities and new opportunities for technical cooperation for the current cycle. Within this framework, progress was shared on a strategic collaboration between the World Bank, PAHO, and REFSA, which began in mid-2025.
This joint effort consists of developing a study to systematize experiences in the Network's member countries. Its objective is to deepen the understanding of the different national funds and their procurement mechanisms. Based on a collaborative drafting process, the results of the analysis will allow for progress in improving purchasing and procurement mechanisms, aiming to enhance access, quality, equity, and financial sustainability of health systems in the region.
During the meeting, participants also agreed upon and followed up on the actions necessary to achieve the annual goals, reaffirming REFSA's commitment to the continuous improvement of regional health management.
What is REFSA?
The National Health Funds Network of the Americas (REFSA) is an initiative led by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) that brings together public institutions responsible for national health funds and actors committed to regional cooperation. It is a technical and strategic space for exchanging experiences, innovating, and strengthening capacities in the financial management of health systems, promoting equity, transparency, and universal access.
