PAHO Member States approve new regional strategy to strengthen essential public health functions – PAHO/WHO
Washington, DC, October 3, 2024 (PAHO) – During the 61st Directing Council of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Member States approved a new strategy aimed at strengthening Essential Public Health Functions (EPHF) to accelerate the transformation of health systems in the Region during the next decade (2024-2034).
The strategy highlights the need to strengthen the institutional capacities of health authorities in terms of leadership, stewardship and governance, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This new strategy seeks to guide countries in the implementation of policies and measures that promote a comprehensive approach to primary health care through a renewed focus on the essential functions of public health, moving towards more inclusive health systems, equitable and resilient,” said James Fitzgerald, Director of Health Systems and Services at PAHO.
Country assessments have revealed significant gaps in institutional capacities to implement EPHFs, particularly in policy frameworks, evidence generation, competencies of public health personnel, and monitoring and accountability mechanisms. These deficiencies, exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighted the fragmentation of health systems and limitations in the leadership and coordination capacities of health authorities, which affected the effectiveness of pandemic response activities. .
The Strategy for strengthening essential public health functions to accelerate the transformation of health systems 2024-2034 describes three lines of action to strengthen health systems through the application of the EPHF at all levels of decision-making:
- Strengthen the leadership, stewardship and governance of health systems based on primary health care.
- Strengthen the capacity to evaluate essential public health functions as a basis for improving policy formulation and decision making.
- Strengthen the competencies of public health personnel to effectively implement essential public health functions.
As of September 2024, 16 countries had conducted assessments of their EPHF capabilities and 10 had completed strategic action plans. By 2034, advances in the EPHF are expected to drive improvements in public health indicators and the ability to respond to future health crises. PAHO will provide technical cooperation to the countries of the region to strengthen their capacities and support the achievement of strategic lines of action.
