(St. Lucia Times) – The Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Dr Jarbas Barbosa, called on countries of the Americas to maintain investments in health, promote innovation in primary care with a focus on digital technologies, and move from theory to practice through specific policies to overcome challenges in access to health services.
“At PAHO we view Primary health care as a strategic approach that addresses the needs of people where they live. Our strategy for the expansion of primary health care in the 21st Century is critical to address barriers in access, ensuring continuity in the provision of health services,” Dr Barbosa” said at the opening of the virtual event “Strategies to ensure access to health services: overcoming barriers and guaranteeing continuity”.
Two PAHO regional reports on essential health services were presented during the meeting, providing a deeper insight into the wide range of factors that act as barriers to access to primary health care, while taking into account the specific characteristics and needs of territories and populations.
PAHO analysis reveals that, three years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, disruptions to essential health services remain a significant challenge in multiple countries of the Americas.
