If the region of the Americas is to reverse the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, countries must urgently develop such systems that take into account the ever-changing epidemiological contexts and the needs of the population, Barbosa, speaking at the International Conference on Primary Health Care in Washington, said.

He stressed that primary health care is key to recovering from the pandemic, preparing for future health emergencies and reversing trends in maternal and infant mortality rates, while increasing vaccination coverage and accelerating the elimination of communicable diseases. The PAHO executive emphasized the importance of prioritizing a “localized approach” to primary health care, developing models adapted to local health conditions to reach the most vulnerable populations.

In order to accelerate these actions, he urged decision-makers to “invest, innovate and implement”.

He further stressed that countries must find “innovative ways to ensure the right to health for all,” not only through technology and digital health, but by rethinking models of care, innovations in governance and cross-sector collaboration with multilateral and bilateral partners.

“The time has come to move beyond political declarations and aspirations and move from theory to practice,” Barbosa sentenced. ef/arm/ro/lp