Washington D.C., May 8, 2025 — Led by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), representatives from seven countries participated in a virtual dialogue to advance the creation of the Network on Essential Public Health Functions for Stewardship and Governance (RedFESP) in the Americas. This new initiative aims to establish a regional cooperation platform to strengthen governance and institutional capacities within health systems.
The meeting brought together representatives from Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama, Peru, Mexico, and Uruguay, who shared national experiences, specific needs, and common challenges related to the implementation of the Essential Public Health Functions (EPHFs). The dialogue helped identify concrete opportunities for regional collaboration.
RedFESP emerges in response to the structural challenges facing health systems in the region, such as fragmentation, inequities, and limited capacity to respond to health emergencies. Its design is based on key strategic frameworks from PAHO, particularly the Renewed Conceptual Framework of the Essential Public Health Functions, published in 2020 and aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This approach promotes equity, human rights, social determinants of health, and universal access to quality services.
In 2024, PAHO Member States adopted Resolution CD61/9, which defines a regional strategy to strengthen the EPHFs and transform health systems over the next decade, with an emphasis on leadership, stewardship, institutional assessment, and the development of public health competencies.
During the meeting, the proposal for the formation of RedFESP was presented, and a platform for inter-country dialogue was established. Ernesto Báscolo, Chief of the Primary Health Care and Integrated Service Delivery Unit at PAHO, opened the session by highlighting the importance of this initiative in advancing towards more resilient, equitable, and inclusive health systems.
Next, Natalia Houghton, Technical Officer at PAHO, presented the vision, strategic objectives, and proposed lines of work for the Network. Key areas included the exchange of knowledge and best practices in implementing the EPHFs; the strengthening of institutional and intersectoral capacities; ongoing training for public health personnel; and shared technical tools and cooperation resources.
RedFESP is currently in its initial development phase. In the coming months, it will continue defining its operational structure, priority areas, and cooperation mechanisms. Additional meetings are planned to deepen technical exchange and support the joint development of innovative solutions.
PAHO reiterated its commitment to supporting this process through sustained technical cooperation, with the goal of strengthening stewardship and institutionalizing the essential public health functions across the Americas, as part of the broader transformation towards health systems that are more robust, resilient, equitable, and prepared for future challenges.
