PAHO and International Hospital Federation sign agreement to strengthen hospital management in the Americas  – PAHO/WHO

Washington DC, January 25, 2024 (PAHO) – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the International Hospital Federation (IHF) signed a technical cooperation agreement to strengthen hospital management capacity in the region, especially in the Americas Latin and the Caribbean.

The collaboration will focus on three main objectives: supporting the development of hospital management competencies; strengthen hospital management, systems and processes; and advance the transformation towards sustainable, climate-resilient and net-zero healthcare.

“PAHO operates on the basis that strong, reliable and long-term collaboration is key to addressing health challenges in the Americas,” said PAHO Director Jarbas Barbosa. «Together with IHF, we look forward to equipping the region’s executives to deliver hospital leadership for tomorrow: innovative, integrated, patient-centered services anchored in sustainability.»

PAHO, together with IHF, will provide guidance on the restructuring and improvement of hospitals and on the provision of specialized care to ensure adequate accessibility to hospital services, including emergency, operational, critical and outpatient care.

Additionally, the collaboration seeks to expand digital health services within hospitals and associated networks, promoting innovative approaches to improve healthcare delivery. PAHO and IHF will promote the development of healthcare delivery programs that strengthen climate resilience in hospitals and leadership decisions.

“The healthcare sector is undergoing a period of significant change to adapt to future service needs. Collaborating with peers as an international community allows us to address the global challenges and opportunities we face, working together to improve health outcomes for patients, healthcare workers and the environment,” said Dr. Muna A. Tahlak, president of the IHF.

PAHO will work with the IHF in developing leadership capabilities and providing training for senior managers and executives within hospitals, particularly on topics such as hospital organization, management, operation and supervision, and in promoting a culture of quality in the provision of medical care.

Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the IHF is a global non-profit organization that provides its members with a platform for knowledge exchange and networking with different players in the healthcare sector to improve the standard, quality and the level of service provision.

PAHO is the specialized health agency of the Inter-American System and acts as the Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO) for the Americas. It works with countries across the region to improve and protect people’s health.