São Paulo, March 3, 2026 (BIREME/PAHO/WHO) – BIREME, the Latin American and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences Information of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), marks today 59 years of activity as a strategic institution dedicated to democratizing access to, use, and dissemination of scientific and technical health information in the Region of the Americas.
Founded on March 3, 1967, BIREME was established as the Regional Library of Medicine and, over nearly six decades, has consolidated its role as a reference center in information and knowledge management, supporting countries, institutions, and networks in organizing, retrieving, and disseminating evidence that guides public health decision-making.
The photograph shows the BIREME team gathered in São Paulo on March 2, 2026, to celebrate the Center’s 59th anniversary, with the presence of Sebastián García Saisó, Director of the Department of Evidence and Intelligence for Action in Health (EIH) at PAHO/WHO, and João Paulo Souza, Director of BIREME/PAHO/WHO.
Innovation and digital transformation in service of health
In recent years, BIREME has strengthened its strategic repositioning in response to the contemporary challenges of digital transformation, including the responsible use of advanced technologies to enhance the efficiency and quality of information processes. This movement is accompanied by the adoption of agile methodologies in project management, strengthening strategic planning, team collaboration, and the continuous delivery of value to technical cooperation.
This technological and organizational culture evolution adds to the Center’s longstanding mission: to facilitate the transformation of qualified information into applied knowledge that generates real impact on health systems, contributing to the well-being of populations.
Current mission and institutional supporters
At 59 years, BIREME continues contributing to ensuring that scientific and technical health information is organized, accessible, and aligned with the needs of health systems in Latin America and the Caribbean. In a context of information overload, inequalities in access, and growing demand for reliable evidence, BIREME’s mission remains essential: to support countries and communities in organizing health knowledge so that decisions are better informed, timely, and aligned with public health priorities.
In 2026, the Government of Brazil, one of BIREME’s main institutional supporters, formalizes the processing of the Headquarters Agreement in the country and the Technical Cooperation Terms aimed at the Center’s continuous strengthening and the development of innovative information products and services. At the global level, the WHO Traditional Medicine Library is positioning itself as a reference in the field, supported by the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC).
A trajectory built through networks
BIREME’s technical cooperation is characterized by its capacity to operate through networks of institutions and professionals, strengthening national, regional, and global flows of health information. This collaborative vocation sustains initiatives and products that have become benchmarks, such as the Virtual Health Library (VHL), the LILACS database, and the DeCS controlled vocabulary, among other platforms and services that support research, education, and decision-making.
Throughout its trajectory, BIREME has evolved alongside transformations in the information ecosystem—from print to digital, from bibliographic organization to integrated search and retrieval platforms—while remaining committed to its mission: to promote health by facilitating access to and use of scientific and technical information for action in health.
This mission is expressed through technical cooperation with countries for the development of VHL instances and other products, services, and systems focused on bibliographic control, indexing, archiving, and the management of digital platforms that expand the visibility and use of scientific knowledge in the Region.
59 years: celebrating individuals and institutions, projecting the future
The 59th anniversary is also an invitation to collective recognition: every advancement at BIREME results from individual and collective work carried out in cooperation with institutions, networks, and partners who sustain and renew its trajectory. To mark this date, BIREME collaborators shared testimonials that capture memories, lessons learned, and perspectives on the Center’s future, reflecting the collective nature of its journey.
João Paulo Souza, Director. “Today BIREME marks 59 years. It represents a commitment to equitable access to knowledge and to strengthening health systems in our Region. We have learned that innovation means serving better. I take great pride in our team and remain confident that we will continue transforming information into real impact for public health.”
Silvia de Valentin, Administrator of BIREME. "Congratulations to BIREME and to the individuals, groups, and institutions that shape its history and carry out its mission every day in support of access to quality information for the health of the peoples of our Region. It is truly rewarding to contribute and to learn continuously at BIREME, through so many stories, achievements, and milestones overcome."
Ana Cristina Espindola Campos, Information Analyst, Terminology and Health Classifications area. “BIREME reaches 59 years consolidated by the strength of its foundations, its capacity to adapt to change, and the clarity of its mission. With deep gratitude and responsibility, I am part of this journey, which has already become intertwined with my own personal life. May the coming years bring consistent progress, innovation, and renewed commitment to the principles that sustain our history. Long live BIREME!”
Juliana Sousa, Project Manager, Digital Solutions and Emerging Technologies area. “Celebrating BIREME’s 59th anniversary, having lived 19 years of this history, means recognizing the purpose that guides my professional journey. Here, I learned that innovation means expanding qualified access to information. I have witnessed changes, technological transitions, new work models, and, above all, the evolution of how we connect people to health information and knowledge. I am proud to be part of this ongoing work and hope we continue connecting people and organizing information for action in health.”
Mirelys Puerta-Díaz, Information Analyst, Information Products and Services area. “Celebrating BIREME’s 59th anniversary also means celebrating a very special chapter of my own journey. Every challenge taken on within the WHO Traditional Medicine Global Library became a learning experience, and every responsibility an opportunity for growth. BIREME has taught me to think more strategically, to work with purpose, and to understand the global dimension of what we build together. Above all, it has offered something truly meaningful: support, partnership, and a genuine spirit of cooperation. Being part of this history fills me with pride and gratitude.”
Laís Silva, Librarian, Reference Information Sources area. “Celebrating BIREME’s 59 years means recognizing how much I have grown and learned throughout this journey. Cooperation and the constant exchange of knowledge make our work more meaningful and transformative. I am grateful for the generosity of my colleagues and the collaborative spirit that strengthens us every day. The atmosphere of friendship and institutional commitment makes BIREME a special place to build history and purpose.”
Amilson Pereira dos Santos, Library Technician, Reference Information Sources area. “Having been part of more than half of the institution’s 59-year history, I have witnessed technological and institutional transformations, as well as changes in health information communication. These decades have brought continuous learning, adaptation, and new challenges. My story is intertwined with BIREME’s, marked by commitment, experience, and ongoing contribution.”
Lucas Boni – Communications Consultant. “I take immense pride in working as a Communications Consultant for BIREME, especially because of the organization’s purpose of democratizing information, scientific evidence, and technical knowledge in health. For me, it is both a personal and professional achievement; BIREME has had a meaningful impact on my life and career. I hope BIREME continues to grow stronger and reach even more people through its institutional mission.”
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