Progress of the Country Node Network by Subregion

Progress 2025

Introduction

During 2025, the VCPH nodes strengthened governance mechanisms and consolidated technical teams through the leadership of PAHO offices in coordination with health authorities and intersectoral actors.

The progress achieved by the country nodes in 2025 highlights the recognition of the VCPH as a powerful educational platform for PAHO’s technical cooperation in the region. The use of the VCPH through interprogrammatic work at the country level has enabled the development of national capacities to manage training priorities for health personnel and expand the offer of country-specific courses in different modalities, including the launch of country training pathways. A sustained strategic use of regional courses and educational materials from the VCPH by all nodes is evident, aligned with PAHO’s technical cooperation agenda.

The nodes have incorporated the VCPH outcome indicator for monitoring the strengthening of health personnel competencies and capacity-building programs through PAHO’s Virtual Campus for Public Health and/or other platforms supported by PASB. In this regard, most countries achieved an increase equal to or greater than 10% in new users and enrollments compared to 2024, with El Salvador and Ecuador standing out as the two nodes with the highest number of enrollments per population.

During 2025, two interoperability experiences between platforms were developed through the exchange of VCPH materials with national platforms in Mexico and Uruguay.

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Progress by Nodes

South America Nodes

Argentina Node

In 2025, the activities of the Argentina node were led by the PAHO office. The three regional courses with the highest number of enrollments from Argentina were Health Promotion; Basic Precautions: Hand Hygiene; and Virtual Course: Basic Concepts in Immunization for Health Workers.

By the end of 2025, Argentina reached a total of 21,148 new users and 54,884 course enrollments, with a certification rate of 44.2%. However, the numbers achieved for both parameters were lower than those recorded in 2024.

Chile Node

In 2025, the Chile node maintained significant activity in producing its own courses as a result of coordinated work with the Ministry of Health to open educational proposals for health personnel according to training priorities. A total of 5 courses were offered:

• Tools to Support Health Decision-Making and The Agreed Comprehensive Care Plan
• Operational Programming in Primary Health Care as a Management Tool
• Practical Tools to Promote Behavior Change in the Context of the Comprehensive People-Centered Care Strategy (ECICEP), using the Lifestyle Medicine approach, 2025
• 2nd Edition: Practical Tools to Promote Behavior Change in the Context of the Comprehensive People-Centered Care Strategy (ECICEP), using the Lifestyle Medicine approach, 2025
• Methodology and Recommendations for Identifying Community Health Assets
• The three regional courses with the highest number of participants from Chile are Virtual Course on Accurate Automated Blood Pressure Measurement (HEARTS); Virtual Course on Implementing the HEARTS Technical Package in Primary Health Care; and Diagnosis and Clinical Management of Dengue.

As part of the processes for recognizing VCPH course certificates and their homologation in Chile’s civil service career path, during 2025 the PAHO office, in coordination with the regional team, managed with the Ministry of Health authorities the update of MEMORANDUM No. C32 / 98 on e-learning course certifications granted by PAHO through the VCPH.

The Chile node grew in enrollments, going from 107,793 in 2024 to 136,862 in 2025, with a certification rate of 55.8%. The number of new registered users was 40,490, similar to the total reached in 2024.

Uruguay Node

In the context of institutional articulation initiatives, during 2025 the Uruguay node continued the interoperability experience between the VCPH and Ministry of Health platforms through the migration of VCPH courses mhGAP and Suicide Prevention. The Ministry, in turn, transfers enrollment data to the VCPH.

Regarding the use and recognition of VCPH courses by national institutions, in 2025 the Faculty of Medicine issued Resolution CFM No. 17 of 05/21/25, allowing up to 10 elective credits for PAHO VCPH courses for medical students.

The node has developed partnerships with national institutions for country-specific courses, such as the Ministry of Health; University of the Republic through the Institute of Psychology and the Faculties of Nursing and Medicine; the Uruguayan Society of Cardiology; the Honorary Commission for Cardiovascular Health; and the Ovejas Negras Collective.

The three regional courses with the highest number of enrollments were: Prevention of Self-Harm and Suicide: Empowering Primary Health Care Professionals; Virtual Course on Comprehensive Control of Cervical Cancer; and Diagnosis and Clinical Management of Dengue.

The number of new users registered by the Uruguay node in 2025 was 4,443.

Paraguay Node

The Paraguay node developed an intensive work agenda in continuity with the relaunch carried out in 2024 and its proposed 2025 work plan. The node has strengthened its governance through greater coordination between PAHO and the National Strategic Directorate of Human Resources (DNERH) of the Ministry of Health.

As a result, in September 2025, a memorandum of adherence was signed by various university institutions to the Paraguay node:

• National Directorate of Health Surveillance
• Faculty of Health Sciences, Catholic University (Itapúa Campus)
• Faculty of Nursing and Obstetrics, National University of Asunción
• Department of Radiology and Imaging, Faculty of Exact Sciences, National University of Asunción
• San Sebastián Autonomous University
• Higher Educational Center in Health
• Ibero-American University
• María Serrana University of Asunción

Throughout the year, the node maintained a strategic use of regional courses and materials aligned with PAHO’s cooperation agenda. The three regional courses with the highest number of enrollments are:

• Nursing Leadership: Strengthening the Management of Nursing Work in Latin America
• Basic Precautions: Hand Hygiene
• Introduction to Primary Health Care in the 21st Century: Principles and Implementation

The node developed two proposals for country-specific courses:

• Course on Prevention and Control of Hospital Infections. This course was declared of ministerial interest by Resolution 472/2025 for completion by all health personnel in Paraguay.
• Course on Quality of Care and Patient Safety in Health Services – 2025

Likewise, the node experienced growth in the number of users and enrollments, registering 5,756 new users in 2025, surpassing the 3,325 reached in 2024. The number of enrollments grew by 44%, with 26,664 enrollments in 2025 compared to 11,775 recorded in 2024.

Bolivia Node

Under the leadership of the PAHO office, the Bolivia node continued the agreement signed in 2024 with the Universidad Mayor, Real y Pontificia de San Francisco Xavier de Chuquisaca, and the Memorandum of Understanding with Universidad Mayor de San Andrés to strengthen access to health information and knowledge management, including activities through the VCPH node.

In this context, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, through the Department of Public Health, maintained as mandatory the course on Correct Completion of the Death Certificate for students in rural health social service, through Instruction No. 02/2024.

As a result of PAHO’s interprogrammatic work in Bolivia for the strategic use of VCPH regional courses and materials, in 2025 the node registered 13,052 new users, slightly higher than the 12,875 recorded in 2024. The number of new enrollments was 29,452 with a certification rate of 61.9%, similar to the 30,349 achieved in 2024.

Peru Node

During 2025, the Peru node continued its biennial work plan. Based on the agreement signed in 2024 with the Ministry of Health, the node’s governance is developed through the leadership of the PAHO office and the National School of Public Health (ENSAP).

As a main milestone, in 2025 the node developed a work process that articulated an inter-agency technical cooperation effort between the German Cooperation Office (GTZ) and PAHO in response to priorities identified by the Ministry for training health personnel in digital literacy. Within this framework, an intensive work program was developed for the design of the course Digital Transformation for Health Personnel: Concepts and Essential Tools, launched in September 2025. The process was carried out through a working group led by ENSAP, with the participation of representatives from German cooperation, PAHO’s Information Systems and Digital Health Unit (IS) and VCPH, as well as the academic team responsible for instructional design and development of the educational proposal.

In coordination with the Ministry of Health, the node promotes the strategic use of regional courses, with the three regional courses with the highest number of enrollments by participants from Peru during 2025 being:

• Diagnosis and Clinical Management of Dengue
• Basic Precautions: Hand Hygiene
• Virtual Course on Accurate Automated Blood Pressure Measurement (HEARTS)

By the end of 2025, the node registered a total of 97,561 new enrollments of participants from Peru in VCPH courses.

Ecuador Node

During 2025, the Ecuador node remained in second place for the highest number of VCPH enrollments per 100,000 inhabitants.

The node’s governance is developed under the leadership of the PAHO office, managing training priorities in coordination with the Ministry of Health and intersectoral actors.

During 2025, the node launched 3 country-specific courses:

• Basic Recommendations for Managing Pediatric Chemotherapy
• Counseling: A Key Element for Preventing Chronic Child Malnutrition – Ecuador
• Communication for Social and Behavioral Change for Malnutrition Prevention

Likewise, the node continued the strategic use of regional courses and materials, with the three regional courses with the highest number of enrollments by participants from Ecuador being:

• Rapid Response to Measles and Rubella Outbreaks in the Americas
• Incident Command System for Hospitals (ICS-H)
• Home Blood Pressure Monitoring – Promoting Self-Measurement (HEARTS)

In 2025, the node reached 65,674 new users, surpassing the total recorded in 2024.

Brazil Node

During 2025, joint work was carried out with the Secretariat for Labor Management and Health Education (SGTES) for the management of the Brazil node and for coordination with national platforms.

The PAHO office supported the Ministry of Health in the development of courses under the PROFEPI program.

The three regional courses with the highest number of enrollments are:

• Basic Precautions: Hand Hygiene
• Basic Concepts of Immunization for Health Workers
• Access and Use of Scientific Information in Health

Colombia Node

During 2025, the Colombia node strengthened its governance by integrating the Autonomous University of Manizales into its network, through an agreement signed in 2024.

In this regard, the node maintains its governance through the leadership of the PAHO office and coordinated work with six universities: University of Antioquia, Universidad del Norte, Autonomous University of Manizales, Universidad de La Sabana, Universidad Libre de Cali, and Technological University of Chocó.

In January 2025, the node launched the pilot version of the training pathway for strengthening job competencies of professionals with health responsibilities, Colombia 2025.

From the Colombia node, the promotion and strategic use of VCPH courses continued within PAHO’s cooperation agenda. The three regional courses with the highest number of enrollments by participants from Colombia are:

• Diagnosis and Clinical Management of Dengue
• Basic Precautions: Hand Hygiene
• Training Package for the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 11th Revision (ICD-11)

As a result of coordinated work with universities, the Colombia node has ensured that the six universities in its directory use and recognize VCPH courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, integrating them as complementary material in their academic programs.

By the end of 2025, the node reached a total of 132,796 new users registered in the VCPH, a figure higher than that achieved in 2024.

Venezuela Node

During 2025, the Venezuela node continued its biennial work plan through the leadership of the PAHO office and coordination with the Ministry of Health.

Within this work agenda, the node promoted and strategically used VCPH regional courses. The three courses with the highest number of users from Venezuela were:

• Home Blood Pressure Monitoring – Promoting Self-Measurement (HEARTS)
• Virtual Course on Accurate Automated Blood Pressure Measurement (HEARTS)
• Introduction to Epidemiology for Health Systems in the Americas

Likewise, in 2025, the node offered two national courses in coordination with the Ministry of Health:

• Course: "Training Tutors for Virtual Learning Environments: Roles and Responsibilities"
• Diploma in Comprehensive Adolescent Health with Life Course and Primary Health Care Approaches

As a result of inter-institutional work, the node experienced growth in the number of new users and enrollments. By the end of the year, the node reached a total of 12,498 new registered users, significantly higher than the 7,055 new users in 2024. Similarly, in 2025, the node surpassed the number of new enrollments of participants from Venezuela in VCPH courses, registering a total of 27,285 new enrollments (compared to 18,268 in 2024).

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Central America, Hispanic Caribbean, and Mexico Nodes

Costa Rica Node

In 2025, the node strengthened coordination with the Costa Rican Social Security Fund, through CENDEISS, to offer the course "Prevention of Self-Harm and Suicide: Empowering Primary Health Care Professionals" from the Costa Rica node. The educational proposal was aimed at training CENDEISS personnel through three cohorts, with a total of 412 participants. The course is institutionally recognized by CENDEISS as a certificate of achievement.

Throughout the year, the node maintained the promotion and strategic use of VCPH regional courses within PAHO’s cooperation agenda. The three regional courses with the highest number of enrollments are:

• Prevention of Self-Harm and Suicide: Empowering Primary Health Care Professionals
• Virtual Course on Accurate Automated Blood Pressure Measurement (HEARTS)
• Access and Use of Scientific Information in Health

El Salvador Node

Based on the agreement signed in 2024, the node maintained in 2025 an outstanding interprogrammatic work program through various PAHO technical areas in coordination with the national authority and intersectoral actors.

Within this work agenda, during 2025 the node developed health personnel training programs through the strategic use of courses on environmental health and toxicology, as well as courses on health promotion, ACAPEM, and immunization. The strategic use of these courses included the selection and monitoring of participant cohorts.

As a result, by the end of 2025, the El Salvador node ranked first in the number of enrollments per population in VCPH courses.

The three regional courses with the highest number of enrollments are:

• Manual for Food Handlers
• Developing Competencies in Health Care for Older Adults: ACAPEM – Basic Level
• Developing Competencies in Health Care for Older Adults: ACAPEM – Intermediate Level

During 2025, the node doubled the number of users and enrollments recorded in 2024.

Guatemala Node

During 2025, the Guatemala node developed a work agenda in coordination with various universities with a view to signing new agreements in 2026 aimed at training, education, and strengthening competencies through digital technologies.

The three regional courses with the highest number of enrollments by participants from Guatemala are:

• Diagnosis and Clinical Management of Dengue
• Basic Precautions: Hand Hygiene
• Virtual Course on Correct Completion of the Death Certificate, RELACSIS

During 2025, the node reached a total of 18,017 new users and 38,226 new enrollments of participants from Guatemala in VCPH courses, higher than the figures recorded in 2024 (19,005 new users and 28,724 enrollments in 2024).

Honduras Node

During 2025, the Honduras node developed an intensive work agenda in coordination with the Ministry of Health through the Strategic Directorate of Human Resources.

In this context, the node provided support for the implementation of webinars included in the national training plan for health personnel.

As part of its collaboration with universities, in 2025 the node held a meeting with the country’s universities. The meeting aimed to present the VCPH, promote its courses and materials, and invite universities to join the node’s network.

The Honduras node maintains a strategic use of VCPH regional courses as part of interprogrammatic work within PAHO’s cooperation agenda. The three regional courses with the highest number of enrollments are:

• Rapid Response to Measles and Rubella Outbreaks in the Americas
• Basic Precautions: Hand Hygiene
• Diagnosis and Clinical Management of Dengue

In 2025, the Honduras node offered a national course with tutorial support:

• Key Knowledge to Lead Digital Transformation in Health – Honduras – 2025

The Honduras node exceeded the number of new users and enrollments recorded in 2024. By the end of the year, the node reached a total of 15,210 new users and 51,047 enrollments of participants from Honduras in VCPH courses.

Regarding the recognition of VCPH courses in Honduras, the National Autonomous University of Honduras recognizes VCPH courses and uses them as complementary material in its programs. For example, the course “Diagnosis and Clinical Management of Dengue” is endorsed by the Vice-Rectorate for Student Affairs (VOAE) and is credited with 20 hours for undergraduate and 15 hours for postgraduate programs.

In 2025, CENEMEC (Continuing Education body of the Honduran Medical College) will accredit the certificate of the national course “Key Knowledge to Lead Digital Transformation in Health – Honduras – 2025” with 1.5 gold points.

Nicaragua Node

During 2025, the node reached a total of 1,514 new users and 3,468 enrollments of participants from Nicaragua in VCPH courses (compared to 4,025 users and 7,669 enrollments in 2024).

The three regional courses with the highest number of enrollments from Nicaragua are:

• Basic Course on Prevention and Control of Multidrug-Resistant Infections in Hospitals
• Diagnosis and Clinical Management of Dengue
• Virtual Course on Correct Completion of the Death Certificate, RELACSIS

As part of the processes for collaboration with academic institutions, during 2025 dialogue began with the University of Medical Sciences of Nicaragua for the use and accreditation of VCPH courses and materials. Currently, the university uses and promotes within the academic community 7 virtual campus courses:

1. Introduction to Scientific Communication in Health Sciences (20h)
2. Access and Use of Scientific Information in Health (40h)
3. Evidence Map: Methodology and Application (20h)
4. Scientific Methodology and Knowledge Dissemination Strategies for Nurses (25h)
5. Introductory Virtual Course on Systematic Literature Reviews (20h)
6. Advanced Course on Scientific Communication in Health Sciences (30h)
7. Improve the Visibility and Value of Your Health Research Using Reporting Guidelines (10h)

Panama Node

During 2025, the agreement between PAHO and the Government of Panama was updated, reinforcing the presence of the VCPH regional office to provide services to the region from Panama.

From the Panama node, the promotion and use of VCPH regional courses and materials continued in 2025. The three courses with the highest number of users from Panama are:

• Diagnosis and Clinical Management of Dengue
• Training Package for the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 11th Revision (ICD-11)
• Prevention of Self-Harm and Suicide: Empowering Primary Health Care Professionals

Regarding the recognition of VCPH courses by national bodies, the Panamanian Medical College recognizes campus courses for professional credit purposes.

Dominican Republic Node

During 2025, the Dominican Republic node maintained a significant level of activity as a result of coordinated work between the PAHO office and the Ministry of Health for node governance.

In this context, collaboration with national universities continued for the use and recognition of VCPH courses as complementary material in public health school programs at the undergraduate level, including Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD), UNIBE, and UCE.

Through the agreement between the Ministry of Health and the Dominican Association of Faculties and Schools of Medicine (ADOFEM), HEARTS courses are promoted in all medical programs in the country.

In coordination with the PAHO office, the National Health Service (SNS) and the Superintendency of Health and Occupational Risks (SISALRIL) have established HEARTS courses as mandatory.

The node recorded significant strategic use of regional courses during 2025 within PAHO’s technical cooperation agenda. The three regional courses with the highest number of enrollments by Dominican participants are:

• Virtual Course on Accurate Automated Blood Pressure Measurement (HEARTS)
• Virtual Course on Correct Completion of the Death Certificate, RELACSIS
• Diagnosis and Clinical Management of Dengue

In 2025, the node launched three country-specific courses:

• Basic Course in Clinical Toxicology, 1st Edition, Dominican Republic – 2025
• Tutor Training Course for Network Learning, 3rd Edition, Dominican Republic – V3 – 2025
• Basic Course for Citizens on the National Health System – Dominican Republic

The node experienced an increase in the number of new users and enrollments, reaching a total of 17,639 new users and 59,958 enrollments of Dominican participants in VCPH courses.

Mexico Node

In 2025, the Mexico node advanced an agreement with the Ministry of Health to develop an interoperability experience between the VCPH platform and national platforms. Within this framework, the regional dengue course was replicated on the Ministry of Health’s platform, with enrollment data exchanged between both platforms.

Likewise, the node carried out extensive promotion of regional courses and their strategic use within PAHO’s cooperation agenda in the country. The three regional courses with the highest number of enrollments are:

• Rapid Response to Measles and Rubella Outbreaks in the Americas
• Basic Precautions: Hand Hygiene
• Correct Completion of the Death Certificate – RELACSIS

The Mexico node launched two country-specific courses:

• Training on the Technical Guidelines for Prevention, Screening, Diagnosis, Treatment, Control, and Epidemiological Surveillance of Cervical Cancer in Mexico
• Training on the Technical Guidelines for Prevention, Diagnosis, Treatment, Control, and Epidemiological Surveillance of Breast Cancer in Mexico

By the end of 2025, the Mexico node exceeded the number of new users and enrollments compared to 2024, registering a total of 267,524 new users and 938,652 new enrollments of participants from Mexico in VCPH courses.

Haiti Node

Since 2024, the Haiti node experienced an extraordinary increase in the number of users and enrollments as a result of the launch of the course “Preparatory Course for Residents in Social Service Haiti – 2024.” The course was established by the Ministry of Health as mandatory for health sciences students entering social service. By the end of 2025, the course had 2,629 enrolled participants, with a certification rate of 69.7%.

As a result of these processes, the node grew from 230 accumulated users in 2024 to 2,816 new users by the end of 2025. The number of enrollments in VCPH courses increased from 415 to 3,872, with a certification rate of 65.9%.

The three regional courses with the highest number of enrollments are:

• Course for Managers of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI Management)
• Virtual Course on Correct Completion of the Death Certificate, RELACSIS
• Adolescent Health and Well-being

Caribbean Node

As a result of expanding the offer of regional courses in English aligned with the Caribbean’s training priorities and coordinated work with the subregional human resources unit, during 2025 the Caribbean node achieved greater dissemination across the subregion, allowing continued growth in the number of new users and enrollments.

In 2025, two educational proposals were developed with a special focus on building teaching capacity for nursing education, aimed at faculty from nursing schools in the Caribbean node:

• Virtual Course: Integrating Simulation and Technology in Nursing and Midwifery Education, a self-learning course with 720 participants by the end of 2025.
• Improving the Competencies of Nursing and Midwifery Faculty for Hybrid Teaching and Clinical Training, a tutored course with the participation of 36 faculty members from nursing and midwifery schools in 13 Caribbean countries.

As part of collaboration with academic institutions for the use and recognition of VCPH courses, dialogue with new Caribbean universities was strengthened. In this regard, exchanges continue with the University of Belize, which, through its nursing and medical school, promotes VCPH courses and uses them as complementary material in its undergraduate programs.

Progress 2024

Andean Subregion

Bolivia Node

Renewed its General Committee responsible for managing the node, fulfilling the commitment made at the Subregional Meeting held in August 2022.

The Committee is chaired by the Ministry of Health and Sports (MSyD) of Bolivia and includes representatives from Universidad Mayor de San Andrés (UMSA) and the National School of Health, led by the national consultant for Systems and Services from the PAHO/WHO office.

Committee meetings also include representatives from various MSyD areas: heads of the Human Resources for Health Unit, Telehealth, SAFCI Training, the General Director of Health Networks and Services, the Training Secretariat, the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at UMSA, the National Coordinator of the BVS Bolivia and Director of the Central Library of UMSA, as well as designated webmasters from MSyD and UMSA.

Colombia Node

The management of the Colombia node has extensive experience in collaborative work through agreements with four prestigious universities in the country, dating back to 2007 when Universidad de Antioquia took charge of the administration and management of the country node.

The experience of establishing subnodes (decentralized nodes) of the VCPH, managed by Universidad del Norte (Northern Subnode), Universidad de Antioquia (Western Subnode), Universidad Libre de Cali (Southwest Subnode), and Universidad de La Sabana (Central Subnode), represents an important networked work initiative aimed at meeting the country’s training needs. This experience was documented in an article published in 2022 in the Pan American Journal of PAHO, describing its achievements and challenges in node management.

This node hosted the Subregional Meeting held in Bogotá in August 2022.

In 2024, the Colombia node strengthened the institutionalization of its governance and the leadership role of the PAHO office. It expanded its network through an agreement with Universidad Autónoma de Manizales for integration into the node’s committee. During 2024, the node held two regular governance committee meetings, analyzing aspects related to new challenges for strengthening the node’s response capacity in the context of health system reforms, reviewing the governance model and expansion potential, and approving new course proposals.

Ecuador Node

This node is working on strengthening its governance by forming a management group led by the country office and the Ministry of Public Health. During the subregional meeting of Andean countries, it participated in developing a work plan that included strengthening its management team, incorporating educational institutions, and developing educational proposals aligned with the needs of the National Health Plan. The country’s institutional situation has delayed some planned actions to strengthen node governance.

Chile Node

The Chile node has significant development, with strong leadership from the country office. Currently, a new approach is being considered by the Ministry regarding continuing education for health personnel. Previously, the Ministry outsourced its educational proposals; now, it seeks to prioritize the VCPH as a sustainable space where proposals have an educational focus, quality standards, and remain available for health teams within the node. The Public Health Schools Network is involved.

In September, the Division of People Management and Development of the Ministry of Health organized a national workshop for those responsible for training and continuing education in health services.

The proposed objectives for this workshop were as follows:

1. Facilitate and collaborate in coordinating Health Services working in the field of distance education.
2. Obtain feedback from Health Services to make necessary adaptations and adjustments to ensure compatibility between VCPH use and incentives for professional development activities carried out for all health personnel.
3. Increase the availability of online continuing education activities for health personnel.
4. Increase knowledge and use of the VCPH, especially within Health Services.

With the participation of representatives from the country’s 29 Health Services, along with the Regional Coordinator of the Virtual Campus for Public Health (VCPH) of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the National Workshop for Training and Continuing Education Coordinators was held. Its main objective was to promote greater use of the VCPH tool and advance the development of a Chile Node on this platform, as well as optimize coordination among those responsible for continuing education in Health Services.

Convened by the Department of Training, Education, and Continuing Education of the Division of People Management and Development (DIGEDEP), part of the Undersecretariat of Healthcare Networks, in coordination with the Office of Cooperation and International Affairs (OCAI) of the Ministry of Health, and supported by PAHO, the event continued collaborative work initiated in 2022, aimed at adapting the VCPH to make it compatible with continuing education processes in the health sector.

With more than 90 participants, the event included presentations and discussions of local experiences, such as those from the Biobío and Metropolitan South Health Services, as well as notable experiences in VCPH use, such as the sensitization course for health teams on access and care for the Haitian population in Chile, and the course on implementation and use of the Teletriage tool. Additionally, the meeting discussed the potential use of the platform by the Healthcare Network and Public Health Network of the Ministry of Health and reflected on dissemination and motivation strategies for platform use.

The workshop also included participation and presentations from representatives of the “Task Group,” a consultative body involving representatives from the Undersecretariat of Public Health, Healthcare Networks, and PAHO, which seeks to support decisions and actions to improve continuing education processes and adapt regional courses, among other tasks.

As a result of this meeting, a roadmap for PAHO/WHO–Ministry of Health technical cooperation was developed for 2023–2024.

Peru Node

The local PAHO office led the process of establishing the node’s management team. It began its activities by conducting an analysis of VCPH usage with support from the regional team. Based on the analysis results, it convened the Ministry of Health authorities and the National School of Public Health (ENSP), which is the academic training body of MINSA, to join the node’s management coordination.

A presentation of the VCPH was made to members of ENSP’s academic and research areas, and it was agreed to develop a work plan that included training 20 ENSP faculty members as virtual tutors, as an induction to carry out node coordination.

The Vice Minister of Health Benefits and Insurance of MINSA delegated coordination of the VCPH node to ENSAP. The governance process was strengthened, and the School designed a work plan and requested VCPH support for training participants in the Rural and Urban Marginal Health Social Service (SERUMS), which is the community health service program carried out by licensed medical professionals who provide services prioritizing the poorest and most remote populations of Peru, as established by Law No. 23330.

ENSAP appointed a professional to take on the functions of node webmaster, responsible for updating the portal. This professional was included in the training provided by VCPH for these profiles.

In 2024, the agreement between PAHO and MINSA was finalized. As part of the agreement, ENSAP, representing MINSA, will be responsible for managing the Peru node.

Venezuela Node

The Venezuela node has a solid institutional foundation established by the agreement signed between the Ministry of Popular Power for Health (MPPS) and PAHO in 2017 and the decree for its creation published in the Official Gazette in July 2019, which established the node’s technical secretariat, governance committee, academic committee, technical committee, and quality committee. Institutions that are part of the node include the Institute of Advanced Studies “Dr. Arnoldo Gabaldón,” the National Institute of Hygiene “Rafael Rangel,” the University of Health Sciences “Hugo Chávez Frías,” the Ministry of Popular Power for Health, and PAHO.

During 2022, the node began a process of reactivation and strengthening of its technical team, composed of a technical representative (PAHO National Consultant) and a technical representative hired for webmaster functions. Currently, the node is reactivating its committees and formulating the work plan for 2024. Likewise, with support from the regional team, the Venezuela node is preparing to organize its help desk to support users of node courses.

During 2024, the governance committee maintained an intensive work agenda that included training tutors in basic Moodle and Drupal management, virtual tutoring, and consolidation of the help desk.

2. Coordination with Educational Institutions

Bolivia Node

In 2024, the cooperation agreement between PAHO and Universidad Mayor Real y Pontificia San Francisco Xavier de Chuquisaca was finalized, establishing the terms of technical cooperation to promote VCPH and strengthen health human resources training. Likewise, as a result of efforts to strengthen continuing education management through the node, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés established the virtual course on correct completion of the death certificate as a mandatory requirement for medical interns entering rural health social service.

Colombia Node

For nearly two decades, the Colombia management team has carried out significant collaborative work between health authorities, the PAHO country office, and a consortium of four private universities that, through an agreement, manage the node’s activities and have achieved a high level of maturity. The agreement includes Universidad de Antioquia, Universidad de La Sabana, Universidad Libre, and Universidad del Norte.

In addition to managing continuing education activities for health teams, some of these universities have incorporated VCPH courses into their curricula and grant credits for undergraduate and postgraduate programs to students who complete and certify these courses.

For example, Universidad de La Sabana has included the following VCPH courses in its educational programs:

University	Program	Credits	VCPH Course	Course Name
Universidad de La Sabana (Colombia)	Medicine	Public Health 1	2	Diploma in Primary Health Care and Integrated Health Service Networks
		Public Health 2	2	Diploma in Equity Approach and Social Determinants of Health
		Public Health 3	2	Diploma in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
	Master’s in Public Health	Elective 1	2	Any of the following courses: 1. Diploma in Primary Health Care and Integrated Health Service Networks 2. Diploma in Equity Approach and Social Determinants of Health 3. Diploma in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention 4. Self-learning courses with a minimum intensity of 96 hours

In the undergraduate programs of the National School of Public Health – Universidad de Antioquia: Health Administration, Environmental and Sanitary Administration, and Health Information Systems Management, there is a common 2-credit course, Primary Care and Health Promotion, which uses content from the Diploma in Primary Health Care and Integrated Health Service Networks.

At Universidad del Norte, the Postgraduate Committee reviewed the incorporation of virtual courses (diplomas) as part of subjects in the Master’s in Public Health program. Soon, the Health Sciences Division Committee will review incorporating these courses into the Master’s in Epidemiology and later into the Specialization in Family and Community Health. They will be included in the Master’s in Public Health as official courses in the form of free courses, estimated at two (2) credits per course:

• Diploma in Primary Health Care and Integrated Health Service Networks (2 credits)
• Diploma in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (2 credits)
• Diploma in Equity Approach and Social Determinants of Health (3 credits)

As part of the strengthening program, this node has decided to expand its support base and cover areas where current universities have no presence. The project consists of incorporating four public universities located in vulnerable areas where current universities are absent. The proposed universities are Universidad de los Llanos, Universidad de La Guajira, Universidad de la Amazonía, and Universidad Tecnológica del Chocó.

For incorporation, the management team agreed on criteria that new universities must meet. It will be a progressive process, starting with an institutional commitment presented by the new universities, where authorities confirm their interest in joining the node, followed by a mentorship program led by current institutions, which will include transferring current experience and induction through a course on Virtual Course Design and technical training for webmasters and communication tool managers.

In 2024, Universidad Autónoma de Manizales was incorporated into the directory of universities that make up the Colombia Node.

Together with Universidad Libre and Universidad de Antioquia, during 2024 the node designed the Training Pathway for Strengthening Essential Competencies for Mental Health Practice. During 2025, the pilot of the Training Pathway will be implemented, which will be accredited as a diploma by both universities.

Recognition of VCPH courses by universities that make up the node:

Institution	Courses	Institutional Basis
Universidad de la Sabana	PHC and IHNS, Equity and SDH, Health Promotion, mhGAP, Community Management in PHC	Mandatory for medical students
	Systematic Review, Telehealth, Access and Use of Health Information, Scientific Communication	Mandatory for entry into the rotating internship
Universidad Libre	Recognizes all VCPH courses	As elective courses in undergraduate and non-clinical postgraduate programs
Universidad de Antioquia	Recognizes all VCPH courses	As validatable electives

Ecuador Node

The node’s management team promoted a cooperation agreement with Universidad Tecnológica Particular de Loja, which is in its final stage and will allow support for training priorities aligned with the National Health Teams Training Plan.

Chile Node

At the subregional meeting, this node proposed formalizing its relationship with VCPH through a cooperation agreement and advancing agreements with local universities to develop a pilot program of Subregional Nodes for remote areas of the country, with regional universities promoting decentralization.

Peru Node

In 2022, the country office promoted the signing of a Letter of Intent between ENSAP and PAHO to strengthen the governance of this node. The office supported this by presenting a work plan to MINSA.

In 2024, the agreement between PAHO and MINSA was signed to strengthen node management by formalizing ENSAP as the MINSA technical reference for coordinating the El Salvador Node.

Venezuela Node

The educational institutions that are part of the node include the Institute of Advanced Studies “Dr. Arnoldo Gabaldón,” the National Institute of Hygiene “Rafael Rangel,” the University of Health Sciences “Hugo Chávez Frías,” and the Ministry of Popular Power for Health.

3- National Training Plans and Technical Cooperation

Bolivia Node

The Committee approved its work dynamics and recorded them in minutes. It also approved the 2023 Work Plan, which includes actions related to regulations and institutional agreements, information management, technical and administrative management, course development, and evaluation of the institutional space.

One of the main activities for 2023 is the training of virtual tutors who can facilitate future virtual courses, as well as managing the respective ministerial regulations to validate Virtual Campus certificates for health personnel selection processes at different levels of the health system.

A national 2023 version of the regional Health Service Networks Course has been organized, aimed at the country’s health teams.

In 2024, the Ministry of Health designated new focal points as counterparts for managing the Bolivia node. The HSS advisor reported that the incorporation of the Plurinational School of Public Management into the node network is in progress, an entity mandated to train human resources in health. The node team continues working with universities to use and recognize VCPH courses.

The training plan for personnel of the National Health Fund was launched, aiming to train about 28,000 employees. This plan is expected to include VCPH regional courses, creation of some country node proposals, and training pathways linked to interprofessional education, family health, and telehealth.

Among the work lines for 2025, a national regulation is expected to be promoted for recognizing VCPH courses within the Ministry’s health career path.

Course production in 2024:

• Virtual Course on Integrated Health Service Networks (IHNS) – Bolivia – Advanced Version – Bolivia – 2024

Colombia Node

This node has developed courses and diplomas using VCPH resources such as PHC courses, mhGAP, Community Managers, Psychoactive Substance Prevention, among others, with good results that were presented at the subregional meeting, where processes, participation, achievements, challenges, experiences, and lessons learned were described.

In November 2022, the regional VCPH participated in the evaluation of the results of the Diploma in Primary Health Care, conducted between July and October by the four universities of the Node and aimed at PHC teams in municipalities prioritized by Colombia’s health authority under the PDET (Territorially Focused Development Programs). These programs aim to stabilize and transform territories most affected by violence, poverty, illicit economies, and institutional weakness, thereby improving health conditions in these 170 municipalities.

The courses conducted by this node are:

1. Diploma in Primary Health Care (PHC) and Integrated Health Service Networks (IHNS), Colombia – 2023
2. Diploma in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention – Colombia (2022)
3. Virtual course for capacity development through the implementation of the Primary Mental Health Care strategy at the local level, via the Mental Health Gap Action Programme – mhGAP – USabana-I 2022
4. Diploma in Primary Health Care (PHC) and Integrated Health Service Networks (IHNS), Colombia – 2022
5. Diploma in Equity Approach and Social Determinants of Health (SDH) – 2022

During 2024, the Colombia node carried out actions to strengthen technical cooperation in the context of Colombian health system reform processes. Among the main actions is the Health Territorial Management Training Program, promoted by the Commission of Health Secretaries of Colombian Municipalities (COSESAM). The program was conceived as a strategic initiative to strengthen health management capacities of health policy managers responsible for population care, providing practical and specialized support in leading actions that effectively promote community health and life. The program reached 785 enrolled participants.

Another important initiative developed by the node is the inclusion of 12 VCPH regional courses as part of the Strategy for Strengthening Human Talent Competencies in Primary Health Care at the First Level of Care, “Educating in Our Territories,” in the most in-demand NEPS topics, with a goal of reaching about 8,000 professionals and technicians. As part of this initiative, VCPH provides NEPS with a biweekly special report containing variables that allow personalized user tracking.

Courses produced during 2024:

• Health Territorial Management Training Program – Colombia – 2024, with 785 enrolled participants.
• Management Space: Strategy for Strengthening Governance Management in Departments and Formation of Integrated Health Networks – Colombia, with 65 participants.
• Diploma in Childhood: Promoting Care and Healthy Living – Colombia – 2024, with 121 enrolled participants.
• Tutored Course: Design of Virtual Educational Proposals within the Framework of Continuing Health Education – 1st Edition – Colombia – 2024, with 70 enrolled participants.
• Diploma in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention – Colombia – (5th Edition – 2024), with 236 enrolled participants.
• Virtual course for capacity development in Primary Mental Health Care at the local level, through the Mental Health Gap Action Programme – mhGAP – Colombia – 2024, with 406 enrolled participants.
• The node is working on updating the content of the mhGAP 2.0 diploma, which will include activities and resources related to the use of the mhGAP guide following Ministry of Health guidelines. The course is expected to be available in January 2025 for use by the six universities of the VCPH Colombia Node, the Ministry of Health, and other strategic partners requesting it.
• The node completed the proposal for the Pilot Project to implement a Training Pathway (TP) using resources from PAHO/WHO’s Virtual Campus for Public Health (VCPH) to strengthen job competencies of professionals with responsibilities in mental health in Colombia. The proposal was developed in coordination with Universidad Libre and Universidad de Antioquia and is expected to be implemented in 2025.

Ecuador Node

According to its work plan, this node has developed several courses, including the National Course on Integrated Health Service Networks for a cohort of 175 participants selected from the Ministry’s central level.

1. Obstetric and Neonatal Emergencies – Ecuador – 5th Edition – 2022
2. Integrated Health Service Networks – Ecuador – 2022
3. Management and Prevention of Obstetric and Neonatal Emergencies – Ecuador – 2022

The node team, with support from the local office, is developing a self-learning course on the “Decennial Health Plan” aimed at all its officials as an induction to the system and planning of Ministry of Health actions.

Additionally, 30 regional courses have been made available on its country portal, selected by the Ministry for its various areas and mandatory for its officials, scheduled monthly until December 2023.

Chile Node

Several courses were developed during the 2022/23 period in this country’s node:

1. Course for the Implementation of Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (PROA) in Chile (2023)
2. Correct Completion of the Death Certificate Applied to Chile – 2023
3. Virtual Course: Leadership and Management Tools for the Feriante Family – 2023
4. Virtual Course: Implementation of Teletriage – 2022-2
5. Advanced Course: Gender and Health within the Framework of Diversity and Human Rights – Chile – 2022
6. Virtual Course on the Fundamentals of Palliative Care – Chile Node – 2022
7. Epidemiological Surveillance of Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses – Chile (2022)
8. Chao Chagas Chile: Chagas from a Multidimensional Perspective – 2023
9. Tutor Training for Network Learning – Chile Edition – 2022

The Ministry of Health, through a resolution, recognizes VCPH courses and grants credits to its health workers for their health career progression.

Peru Node

This node developed a work plan that included identifying available courses on the platform for training SERUMS participants, considering the axes of Comprehensive Care Model, Family and Community Health, Mental Health, Health and Environment, and Digital Health Agenda.

A national course was requested for training 20 ENSAP faculty members as virtual tutors to carry out an induction process for managing the country node, at the request of the National School of Public Health, which is responsible for convening professionals performing the Rural and Urban Marginal Health Service (SERUMS).

Two regional courses were made available on its portal (Communication on Safe Vaccination: Guidelines to Support Health Personnel and Diagnosis and Clinical Management of Dengue), which will be mandatory for a remaining cohort of 3,000 professionals from 2022.

For the 2023 cohort of approximately 21,000 participants, three courses were provided:

1. Integration of Telehealth in Primary Care with the Application of Simulation Models
2. Respectful Maternal and Neonatal Care
3. Developing Competencies in Health Care for Older Adults

The 2024 work plan includes tutor training (pending from this year), a national edition of the VCPH Course for the Implementation and Strengthening of Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (PROA), development of the Peru Node Communication Plan (Joint OPS-ENSAP Plan), creation of a Peru Node Repository, and design of its structure to store academic and research outputs.

Venezuela Node

In 2022, self-learning courses were developed: Comprehensive Management of Community Pharmacies and Self-learning Course for the Prevention, Detection, and Timely Treatment of Medical Complications in Patients with Non-Communicable Diseases in Primary Health Care. Additionally, the diploma “Adolescent Health with a Life Course and Primary Health Care Approach” – Venezuela – 2022 was developed.

In 2023, training was provided to four virtual tutors through slots offered by the Dominican Republic node. In October of the same year, the self-learning course “Maternal and Child Health Care” was launched.

4 – Information Management on VCPH Usage

Bolivia Node

This node has the support of a professional from Universidad Mayor de San Andrés and another from the Ministry of Health, who participate in the node’s General Committee and have been designated as webmasters. They are responsible for updating the portal and supporting classroom openings.

They have also been given access to the dashboard with VCPH user information to monitor usage and perform analyses for decision-making dynamically and independently from the regional VCPH team.

Colombia Node

The Colombia node has the support of a professional from Universidad de Antioquia (UDEA) and, due to expansion, added another professional from Universidad Libre de Cali for maintaining the updated country portal and supporting teaching teams.

This node has its own access to the dashboard with VCPH user information to monitor usage and perform analyses for decision-making dynamically and independently from the regional VCPH team.

It also participates in a pilot project by the regional team for geo-referencing VCPH users in the country. This project, involving the Ministry of Health, which provided health facility information, aims to map trained users in each health service geographically.

In 2024, the webmaster role transitioned from Universidad de Antioquia to PAHO. The node maintains proper portal updates with news coverage of its activities and events. During 2024, five news items were published on the portal.

From the Colombia node, intensive use of VCPH courses has been promoted to support health system reform processes and capacity strengthening, highlighting the promotion of 12 regional courses as part of the NEPS strategy “Educating in Our Territories.” As a result of these processes, by December 2024, a total of 538,958 users from Colombia were registered in VCPH, equivalent to 1,071 users per 100,000 inhabitants.

Ecuador Node

This node has a webmaster from the local PAHO office team. This professional permanently updates the country portal. Since the management team is still being formed, no actions related to campus data usage have advanced.

They have also been given access to the dashboard with VCPH user information to monitor usage and perform analyses for decision-making dynamically and independently from the regional VCPH team.

Chile Node

The node team has a webmaster from the local country office who is responsible for permanently updating the country portal and has access to the dashboard with user data.

Peru Node

This node has a webmaster belonging to ENSP and has access to the dashboard with VCPH user information. The country office team conducted an analysis of VCPH usage with support from the Regional VCPH technical team, which was presented to the Public Health School authorities to identify gaps.

Venezuela Node

In 2022, the node’s work team was strengthened with the incorporation, from PAHO Venezuela, of a technical reference as webmaster for portal management and technical support of the node. As a result of the work agenda, portal updates were carried out in line with the rebranding established by VCPH. The node’s dashboard was transferred to the management team, which maintains data analysis and report generation for different technical areas according to their needs.

Subregional Meetings and Events

Subregional Meeting of Andean Country Nodes – Bogotá, August 2022

To support the development of Virtual Campus for Public Health (VCPH) nodes in Andean countries, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) held a workshop in Bogotá, Colombia, from August 23 to 25, with participation from teams in Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.

The “Workshop for Strengthening Andean Country Nodes of the Virtual Campus for Public Health” aimed to update or develop work plans for planning training activities for health workers and foster coordination between health authorities and health training institutions.

The event was opened by the PAHO/WHO Representative in Colombia, Gina Tambini, authorities from the Human Talent Directorate of Colombia’s Ministry of Health, Katya Baquero and Silvia Mora, and the regional VCPH coordinator, Gabriel Listovsky. The workshop included the subregional advisor on human resources for health, SPC-SAM, Hernán Sepúlveda, and delegations from six countries composed of PAHO consultants, health authorities, and university representatives.

On the first day, members of the Colombia node, composed of universities forming the country’s four subnodes, presented their 15-year work experience and the project to expand the network to underserved areas. Health authorities shared their training priorities.

On the second day, VCPH presented its educational approach and outlined the workshop’s work axes, focusing on quality and credentialing of training. The importance of institutional coordination and the international perspective of virtual education were addressed. Regional, subregional, and country node governance was presented, along with articulation with technical cooperation and national priorities. The subregional vision of PAHO/WHO was also presented through coordination with the Andean Health Organization Hipólito Unanue Agreement (ORAS CONHU) and synergy with both institutions’ challenges in health human resources training.

Country delegations presented their collaborative work experiences and a situation analysis of country nodes. Countries agreed on work plans for 2022–2023 based on health human resources training priorities, strengthening governance, and coordination with national institutions.

Among the agreements reached, a classroom was created in VCPH to foster a subregional work network where all country delegates shared work materials on their national experiences.

The experience of all countries, as well as shared challenges, highlights the substantial contribution of VCPH to capacity building and the importance of managing education in response to different national contexts, as well as promoting continuous dialogue and exchange to strengthen and enable innovative approaches in health.

The meeting concluded with the creation of a classroom to promote a network of Andean country nodes as a space for exchanging experiences and resources, fostering subregional work to strengthen nodes. Guidance documents for node management, educational approach, and reference materials on health human resources training were also shared.

Progress of Nodes in Central America, Dominican Republic, and Mexico Subregion

1 – Advances in Node Governance

Costa Rica Node

The Costa Rica node is working with the Ministry of Health on restructuring its management team, led by the country office.

This team has identified strategic allies such as CCSS, public universities, and several institutions and professional associations that would also be of interest for node governance. It has also outlined a series of actions to move forward:

1. Advance in consolidating health stewardship and governance functions in the context of COVID-19 pandemic recovery, emphasizing policy integration, management, and sector regulation.
2. Deepen implementation of the primary health care strategy, with particular emphasis on strengthening the first level of care as a structural element for progress toward universal health.
3. Strengthen national capacities for comprehensive management of surveillance, prevention, and control of public health events of importance.
4. Promote and facilitate dialogue, coordination, and integrated work processes within and across sectors for public health management.
5. Generate mechanisms for effective articulation of all structures of the national risk management system, as well as for risk communication at all levels and areas of action.

These points are aligned with the technical cooperation strategy approved for the country.

During 2024, the management of the Costa Rica node was led by the PAHO office without participation from other institutional counterparts.

Guatemala Node

This node is reorganizing its management team. In June 2023, with support from the Regional VCPH technical team that traveled on mission, the “Monitoring Panel for the APS-Nutrition Project in Guatemala to Combat Chronic Malnutrition” was presented. The project, which will support the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance, was presented to Dr. Gerardo Alfaro Cantón, Ministry representative, by Dr. Carlos Rosales, regional advisor.

This is a system developed by VCPH that allows the collection, analysis, and visualization of key data on chronic malnutrition, facilitating evidence-based decision-making and continuous monitoring of progress in combating this issue.

The meeting provided a space to address relevant topics related to chronic malnutrition, a serious problem affecting a large number of children throughout the country. Effective strategies to improve nutritional status were discussed, and the importance of having a reliable and efficient information system was highlighted.

Dr. Gerardo Alfaro Cantón expressed his satisfaction with the implementation of the Monitoring Panel and thanked Dr. Carlos Rosales and VCPH for their support in creating this vital tool. He emphasized the importance of having accurate and timely information to design and implement effective policies and programs that address chronic malnutrition comprehensively.

For his part, Dr. Carlos Rosales, regional advisor, stressed the importance of collaboration among different actors and joint work to face this challenge.

He highlighted the commitment of the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance and VCPH in seeking sustainable, long-term solutions to improve the nutritional situation in Guatemala.

The implementation of the APS-Nutrition Project Monitoring Panel and the information system developed by VCPH is a significant step toward strengthening the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance’s capacity to fight chronic malnutrition in the country. This represents a promising advance toward achieving better health and well-being for all Guatemalans, especially the most vulnerable—children.

El Salvador Node

The El Salvador node has established its management team with technical advice from VCPH, leadership from the country office, and support from the Public Health Institute team under the Ministry of Health.

This node strengthened its governance through the signing of a Cooperation Agreement between the Ministry of Health and PAHO to build and maintain the El Salvador Node (signed on 11/09/2023) for a duration of five years. The agreement establishes a National Committee that will include the National Institute of Health, representing MINSA, which will manage the Node and coordinate the participation of other national institutions, such as Hospital El Salvador Specialized Institute and universities and higher education institutions.

The INS appointed a webmaster responsible for the portal who has access to the country dashboard. This professional participated in training and update workshops conducted by VCPH in 2022/2023.

The Committee team developed a 2022/2023 training plan based on its training needs to organize the offer provided through VCPH.

During 2024, the El Salvador node strengthened its governance mechanisms following the signing of the agreement with MINSAL for node management from the National Institute of Health (INS). The PAHO office exercised significant leadership under the guidance of the HSS advisor, along with a national consultant and a focal point webmaster, for coordinated work with INS and other national institutions and PAHO technical areas.

Honduras Node

Technical advisory work in the Honduras Node was led by the country office, and the first actions focused on reorganizing the management team.

A call was organized by the Ministry of Health to various institutions that sent delegates to join the management team, and a virtual meeting was held with the VCPH regional coordinator to present cooperation opportunities and VCPH usage by Honduran users.

The new Ministry of Health authorities, the Director of Human Resources Development, and the webmaster from the National Autonomous University of Honduras presented the development of HRH in Honduras and the updated Node portal.

This meeting marked the start of work to develop the biennial plan, with participation from representatives of the following institutions:

1. Universidad Valle de Sula
2. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras
3. National Secretariat of Science and Technology (SENACyT)
4. Honduran Medical College
5. Faculty of Medical Sciences, Head of Public Health
6. Faculty of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences
7. National Medical Library (BIMENA)
8. National Human Rights Commissioner
9. Catholic University of Honduras (UNICAH)
10. Central American Technological University (UNITEC)
11. College of Nutrition and Dietetics of Honduras

The meeting agreed that academic offerings and courses must be free, as this is a key requirement for the Node. Another point discussed was the proposal to create synergies with universities to allow joint certification and accreditation of VCPH courses or modules.

Another action taken was advising the coordinator of academic training and scientific-technological education at SENACyT to evaluate VCPH support for the recently approved Junior Researcher Training Program initiative.

The node’s management team includes a webmaster designated by the National Medical Library, under the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH), where the Technology Coordinator is responsible for the country portal. This webmaster participated in update and training workshops conducted by VCPH in 2022 and 2023 and was granted access to the country dashboard for monitoring and tracking VCPH users in the node.

During 2024, the Honduras node was primarily managed by the country office under the leadership of the national consultant for Knowledge Management and Communications. In October, the Ministry of Health appointed a new focal point from the Strategic Human Resources Development Department as a counterpart for node management.

Mexico Node

Under the leadership of the PAHO country office, the Mexico node has worked on strengthening its management team and organizing institutional coordination processes with technical areas to identify training priorities and manage course offerings. In 2023, the node’s technical team prepared the “Procedure Manual for the Operation Process of Distance Training Strategies of the Virtual Campus for Public Health – Mexico Node,” which establishes general administrative guidelines for course management. The node has a webmaster hired by the country office who participated in training sessions held in 2022/2023 and has access to the dashboard for monitoring country users.

Nicaragua Node

The Nicaragua node has significant support from the local country office, which worked on incorporating strategic partners to strengthen node governance.

The node has an important roster of tutors (128) – education and health professionals who work in a network to support its VCPH courses and develop cooperation lines with priority countries in the region. In this regard, they coordinated two editions of tutor training for the Dominican Republic. In its second edition, participants from Venezuela and El Salvador were included.

This node has a webmaster hired by the country office who has access to the dashboard for monitoring country users.

Panama Node

The local country office team has undertaken a process to reorganize its technical secretariat by incorporating health authorities (MINSA), the Social Security Fund, ICGES, public and private universities, scientific-academic professional associations, and the National Secretariat of Science and Technology (SENACYT).

Among the prioritized actions for 2023 were consolidating governance, building a legal framework for long-term sustainability, and linking regional teaching units. A training needs assessment was also proposed. Based on this prioritization, the Ministry designated its Planning Director to coordinate node actions.

Dominican Republic Node

In 2022, advisory work was carried out to advance node institutionalization and seek partners for articulation with the education sector. Actions were supported for renewing agreements that had expired and identifying needs.

In this context, participation took place in one of the regular meetings of the Association of Faculties and Schools of Public Health (ADOFEM) in September 2022 to share VCPH offerings and technical cooperation opportunities.

In April 2023, the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MISPAS) and the Dominican Association of Faculties and Schools of Medicine (ADOFEM) agreed to promote training for students of Faculties and Schools of Medicine belonging to ADOFEM in virtual courses certified by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), including those on implementing the HEARTS Technical Package in Primary Health Care.

The initiative, which will be part of the educational curriculum starting in May, also includes updates on Hypertension and Cardiovascular Risk Management in Primary Health Care, as well as Accurate Automated Blood Pressure Measurement, as extracurricular hours complementing their health professional training.

“This agreement between the Rectorate and Academia is a major step toward governance and actor integration to strengthen the Dominican National Health System, ensuring first-level care capacities and promoting proper hypertension management, the main risk factor for cardiovascular disease deaths,” highlighted PAHO Representative in the Dominican Republic, Dr. Olivier Ronveaux.

Likewise, the agreement seeks to guarantee participation and integration of health sciences students from ADOFEM member universities in activities related to health promotion and disease prevention carried out by MISPAS (intervention days, Health Routes, congresses, forums, symposiums, etc.), according to institutional capacities.

HEARTS in the Americas is a country-led initiative, driven by Ministries of Health with participation from local actors and technical support from PAHO.

The initiative aims to integrate transparently and progressively into existing health services to promote adoption of global best practices in cardiovascular disease prevention and control and improve service performance through better hypertension control and promotion of secondary prevention, with emphasis on primary health care.

HEARTS is being implemented and expanded in 26 countries in the Region, covering 2,117 health centers that collectively serve approximately 20 million adults in their respective catchment areas. HEARTS will be the model for cardiovascular risk management, including hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, in primary health care in the Americas by 2025.

HEARTS in the Dominican Republic: Considering that the HEARTS Strategy reinforced and organized interventions for prevention and management of non-communicable diseases in the country, focusing on the first level of care, in 2019 the country committed to joining the group of implementing countries. This commitment is assumed by the Chronic Disease Division of MISPAS and the Directorate of First Level Care of the National Health Service (SNS), in coordination with provincial health regions through Regional Health Services (SRS). Currently, HEARTS is being implemented in all nine regions, covering more than 300 First Level Care Centers (CPN).

In May 2023, a visit by the Regional VCPH Coordinator took place, where final actions to strengthen the node’s management team were agreed upon.

The management team was consolidated through a note from the Minister of Health (08/14/2023), designating the Directorate of Human Resources Development in Health as the area to lead the node’s management team, coordinating actions aligned with local realities, strategic promotion, and collaboration within this training network. In 2023, a technical representative was appointed by the Ministry of Health to serve as the node’s webmaster. The area is identifying training priorities for the Ministry’s various divisions and seeking partners among educational sector institutions.

2 – Coordination with Educational Institutions

Costa Rica Node

This node stated at the subregional meeting that it would be important to incorporate the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS), a government agency, and Public Universities (UCR, UNA, UNED), as well as the Directorate of Health Services (MS), into node management. However, it has not yet initiated actions for coordination with educational institutions.

As part of the coordination processes with universities, during 2024 the node maintained dialogue with UNIBE University for the use and recognition of VCPH courses, with emphasis on mental health and maternal health courses.

El Salvador Node

This node has a technical cooperation agreement signed between PAHO and the Ministry of Health that delegates node management to the National Institute of Health, which regulates the incorporation and participation of actors in node management, including the Specialized Hospital El Salvador Institute and the inclusion of universities and higher education institutions.

As part of the node’s coordination with educational institutions, during 2024 the El Salvador node promoted a work agenda with the Evangelical University for the use and recognition of VCPH courses. In this context, the university developed an experience using the FESP course for medical students, with 102 students taking the self-learning course, which was complemented by in-person sessions conducted by faculty for topic discussions and essay writing. The university continued using the VCPH course portfolio within the context of a flexible curriculum as part of elective subjects and courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. As a result, the university integrated some courses into its internationalization and “mobility at home” project in coordination with the Public Health Department of the Evangelical University of El Salvador:

Mexico Node

As part of the work agenda, efforts are underway to formalize an agreement with the Ministry of Health for node management, in addition to actions to strengthen the network of institutional partners and incorporate academic institutions in 2024.

Nicaragua Node

This node has identified institutions to invite to participate in the country node. The institutions proposed for coordination are the Open Online University of Nicaragua (UALN), the National Technological Institute (INATEC), and the National System for Disaster Prevention, Mitigation, and Response (SINAPRED). To date, these efforts have not progressed.

Panama Node

In its action plan presentation, this node indicated its intention to include the National University of Panama and private universities. It has not yet initiated actions for coordination with educational institutions.

Honduras Node

This node has a cooperation agreement with the National Autonomous University of Honduras, which provides the webmaster and delegates from several local universities for the node’s management team.

In 2024, the node maintained coordination with the National Autonomous University of Honduras for the recognition of VCPH courses. Some dialogues have been explored with nursing associations for course recognition.

 

Dominican Republic Node

This node is promoting the renewal of the technical cooperation agreement with the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD). Through UASD’s School of Public Health, it plans to include master’s students for internships within the Ministry of Health. This cooperation began with a resolution from the School (FCS-880-2023) approving VCPH courses: Correct Completion of the Death Certificate, Environmental Epidemiology, Data Search in Virtual Health Library Databases, and Scientific Writing, to be included as part of the undergraduate training programs in subjects managed by the School of Public Health of the Faculty of Health Sciences at UASD.

3 – Development of National Training Plans and Technical Cooperation

Costa Rica Node

The following national courses were delivered in the Costa Rica node:

1. Community Participation as the Basis for Primary Health Care – 2022
2. Coordination of Technical Cooperation Processes in Mental Health in Costa Rica – 2022
3. Identification and Prevention of Infectious Diseases for Ministry of Justice and Peace Personnel – Costa Rica – 2022
4. Induction for CCSS Board of Directors 2022–2026 (Management Classroom)

Courses produced in 2024:

• Cultural Relevance for the Provision of Obstetric Services by CCSS of Costa Rica, with 28 enrolled participants

• Training Program on Life Improvement Approach to Strengthen Mental Health, scheduled for design and development in 2025

The node continues promoting VCPH regional courses according to priorities established by technical areas and Ministry of Health counterparts.

Guatemala Node

This node has developed two national courses:

1. Guatemala Integrated Health Service Networks – 2022
2. Primary Health Care and Nutrition Project – 2022

El Salvador Node

With advice from the VCPH team, the Public Health Institute team developed a national course on Public Health Nutrition and Research. The launch included the VCPH regional coordinator, Dr. Giovanni Escalante, PAHO/WHO Representative in El Salvador, Dr. Xochitl Sandoval, INS Director, and Lic. Veralís Morán, course coordinator, who presented the proposal.

Another activity developed by the node was the launch of the course: International Accreditation of Competencies in Health Care for Older Adults (ACAPEM) in El Salvador. This is a PAHO/WHO strategy for training and strengthening health professionals’ competencies in caring for older adults.

The VCPH team supported this initiative and participated in its launch on May 26, 2023. The Ministry of Health of El Salvador, as part of its commitments under the “Decade of Healthy Aging,” prioritizes equipping health personnel with the necessary competencies to provide quality and compassionate care to older adults. To achieve this, it will implement a training strategy through the ACAPEM course for health human resources at the first level of care. The course is mandatory for heads of institutions in the National Integrated Health System (SNIS) and will be monitored by the node’s coordinating team.

In the same line, the FESP course was offered to 4th and 5th-year medical students, with an approval rate of 83%. Additionally, two members of the Institute team took the Virtual Tutor course delivered by the Dominican Republic node to strengthen the node’s management team.

After signing the agreement, the INS prepared a plan for four courses in 2024 aimed at strengthening research. Two courses belong to the VCPH offering, and two will be national courses developed by the Institute team.

During 2024, based on commitments under the OPS/MINSA agreement, the INS team, with support from the HSS unit, developed a work plan that included proposals for country courses and promotion of VCPH regional courses according to national priorities. The technical team kept the node portal updated with six news items covering all activities and events during 2024.

Among the most promoted courses with the highest number of enrolled users are the ACAPEM basic and intermediate courses. El Salvador ranks second in the number of participants completing the ACAPEM basic course (70%). As a result of promoting regional courses, the country experienced a significant increase in users, ranking second in VCPH course usage, with 87,141 users registered by December 2024, equivalent to 1,350 users per 100,000 inhabitants.

Two national courses were developed:

• Scientific Article Writing in Health Sciences and Publication in Indexed Journals. Tutored course with 18 approved participants.

• Course for Implementing mhGAP in Pediatrics (El Salvador – 2024). Tutored course with 29 enrolled participants, expected to finish in February 2025.

Mexico Node

During 2022, the node experienced a significant increase in users due to the launch of two new self-learning courses: “Reperfusion in Acute Myocardial Infarction” and “Logistics Management for Ensuring Supplies in Sexual and Reproductive Health.”

A work agenda was also carried out with the VCPH regional technical team for closing and issuing certificates for the course “Specialization in Identification, Assessment, and Intervention of Suicidal Behavior” and its migration to the Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) platform.

In 2023, the course “Brief Counseling to Reduce Alcohol and Tobacco Consumption from a Competency-Based Approach” was developed and migrated from the Ministry of Health platform.

Nicaragua Node

This node has developed significant local production of national courses:

1. Comprehensive Care for Newborns in the Health Service Network / I - NIC - Edition 2023. Miskito.
2. Comprehensive Approach to High-Risk Obstetric Patients – 2023 Miskito
3. Course on Management of Emergency Obstetric Complications / I NIC - Edition 2023 – Miskito
4. Comprehensive Approach to High-Risk Obstetric Patients – 1st Edition 2023
5. Nursing Management and Leadership – NIC – 2022
6. Quality of Care and Comprehensive Service Delivery / II NIC - Edition 2022
7. Management and Leadership in Developing Mental Health Strategies in Nicaragua’s Health System – 2022
8. Comprehensive Mental Health Care: Essential Competencies – NIC
9. Comprehensive Care for Newborns in the Health Service Network – NIC – 1st Edition 2023
10. Course on Management of Emergency Obstetric Complications – 1st Edition 2023
11. Nursing in Patient Safety / I - NIC - Edition 2022
12. Strengthening Competencies in Health Personnel for Safe and Effective COVID-19 Vaccination / Miskito - Nicaragua – 2022
13. Comprehensive Adolescent Health: A Strategic Approach – Nicaragua – 2022
14. Health Services and Patient Management in the Context of COVID-19 / 4th Edition - NIC - 2022
15. Strengthening the National Health Regulation System – Nicaragua – 2022
16. Tutor Training for Pedagogical Mediation in Continuing Health Education (7th Edition)
17. Epidemiological Surveillance of Acute Respiratory Infections in the Context of COVID-19 – 3rd Edition - NIC - 2022
18. Organization of Health Services and Patient Management in the Context of COVID-19 – 3rd Edition - NIC - 2022

Panama Node

This node organized the Seminar-Workshop “Development of Virtual Teaching Skills for Professors and CIDETES Members,” held in person at the University of Panama on October 25, 2022, led by the VCPH Regional Team.

The program aimed to strengthen capacities for performing functions related to the design, development, coordination, and tutoring of virtual courses. It addressed the challenges of virtual education and continuing health education, providing an introduction to the resources needed to plan, design, and implement virtual proposals according to the needs of the University and the country’s health system.

“To achieve the goal of universal health, it is essential to make broad and profound changes in existing health systems in most countries, and these changes must occur in the context of primary health care and the education and training of new health workers,” said Dr. Ana Rivière-Cinnamond, PAHO/WHO Representative in Panama.

She also noted that “given the rapid evolution of information and communication technologies in health and education—accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic—it is necessary to develop and strengthen skills for optimal performance in this digital era,” which justifies the development of programs to strengthen these capacities.

The Virtual Teaching Skills Development Program is part of a broader technical cooperation process with the University of Panama that includes research, access to scientific information, capacity development, and community work, established to contribute to Panama’s social development.

After the in-person activity, participants were enrolled in a VCPH classroom where seminar evaluation activities were carried out.

The following national courses were also delivered:

1. Human Rights and Comprehensive Care for Key Populations for HIV (2022)
2. Assisted Contact Notification (2022)
3. International and National Strategies for HIV Response (2022)
4. Stigma and Discrimination in Comprehensive HIV Management – Panama (2022)
5. Panama Virtual Teaching Clinic – 2022

During 2023, a process was carried out to strengthen the use of VCPH in EPS processes with Teaching Coordinators from the health regions (UDR) of MINSA and HR heads. In the last follow-up meeting, an in-person workshop was held from August 23 to 25, where the training pathways being developed for workers in the following four health regions were presented:

• Colón: Horizons of Community Health: Comprehensive Promotion Course
• Panama East: Several were developed, but the most promising for implementation focuses on Primary Health Care for the Sexual and Reproductive Health Program
• Coclé: Strengthening Primary Health Care, which still needs refinement and targeting to a specific group of workers
• Veraguas: Health Research, which is the best formulated because it is well focused on a very specific audience

For next year, they plan to develop a virtual induction course for administrative staff of the Ministry of Health.

Honduras Node

This node developed the national course on Mental Health Service Management in 2023 in cooperation with the Dominican Republic node and is working on proposals for two self-learning courses: Comprehensive Care Protocol for Victims/Survivors of Sexual Violence and Strengthening Primary Health Care.

A Workshop was also held to train trainers in the diagnosis and clinical management of dengue (2023), delivered by national experts. The workshop was recorded and shared on the node’s webinar space.

In 2024, the webmaster role continues to be assumed by the National Autonomous University of Honduras. The following educational proposals were developed by the node:

• National Health Model: 2,997 enrolled participants
• Family Care Teams: 2,845 enrolled participants
• National Referral and Response System: 2,343 enrolled participants
• Webinars: During November and December 2024, the node held seven webinars addressing different topics prioritized by the Ministry of Health as part of its human resources training plan. The webinars reached an average audience of 300 participants.

The node continues promoting regional courses according to priorities identified by technical areas and national counterparts. As of December 2024, Honduras has a participation rate of 587 users per 100,000 inhabitants, equivalent to about 57,222 registered VCPH users.

The node maintained low activity in publishing news, with only two news items posted in 2024. The portal remains updated with the display of regional courses promoted nationally and country-specific courses.

Dominican Republic Node

This node developed two courses in technical cooperation with the Nicaragua team:

1. Tutor Training for Network Learning – Dominican Republic – 2nd Edition – 2023
2. Tutor Training for Network Learning – Dominican Republic – 1st Edition – 2022

4 – Information Management

Guatemala Node

The local PAHO office has designated three professionals to be trained to assume webmaster functions, manage the help desk, and support teaching teams in classroom setup.

Honduras Node

This node has a professional from the National Autonomous University of Honduras designated as webmaster, responsible for the country portal, collaboration on training proposals, and help desk. They are part of the Webmaster Network.

El Salvador Node

This node has updated its country portal. It has a webmaster designated by the National Institute of Public Health who collaborates with teaching teams, manages the help desk, and participates in the Webmaster Network.

Mexico Node

This node has a professional from the local office team who assumed webmaster functions, managing the country portal and collaborating with teaching teams. They also participate in the Webmaster Network.

Nicaragua Node

The node has a webmaster hired by the country office who periodically updates its portal and supports the country’s teaching team, manages the help desk, and participates in the Webmaster Network.

Panama Node

The country portal is managed by the VCPH regional team, which updates the portal and collaborates with teaching teams.

Dominican Republic Node

The rebranding of the Dominican Republic node portal was carried out through a virtual training session with members of the management team and the VCPH regional team, supported by focal points from the local office team.

In the August 2023 note, the Minister of Health designated Rafael Moronta as the node’s webmaster, a Health Human Resources Monitoring Technician from that institution.

Data on VCPH usage by participants from the country was also shared through the dashboard prepared for the team to manage its data and perform respective analyses.

Meetings and Events

Subregional Meeting of Nodes from Central America, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Cuba – Panama, October 27–28, 2022

The meeting was held in Panama City and included delegations from Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. Each country was represented by the PAHO advisor responsible for leading the VCPH country node, a representative from the Ministry of Health, and a public health training representative.

Workshop Objectives:

1. Analyze the challenges of country nodes from the perspective of institutional integration: governance and institutional agreements.
2. Build the national agenda: identify priorities and coordinate for the strategic use of regional products.
3. Review new scenarios in virtual education: Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning.
4. Present new technological resources: educational resources and data usage.
5. Agree on strategies to strengthen cooperation among countries in the subregion.

Throughout the meeting, presentations were made on experiences with training initiatives through subregional integration mechanisms. The Central American Institute of Health Systems and Social Security (ICAP) presented experiences of universities in Central America in the subregional and national context. A representative from SE-COMISCA and the moderator of the ECHO Central America Project presented the project and experiences of the SE-COMISCA Hub. The VCPH regional team from PAHO presented the topic “Future Vision: Service and Training Integration.”

Experiences of collaborative and networked work through VCPH were also presented, along with results from the survey on training needs in PHC in the Central America subregion and “Use of VCPH data and its relationship with countries’ HRH information systems (WHO National Health Accounts).”

Collaborative work experiences among nodes were shared, such as cooperation between Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic with the virtual tutor training course recently initiated at the request of the Dominican Republic. Some countries referenced the diversity of products under development, such as digital transformation.

Work was done with countries to consolidate teams responsible for node management. In terms of governance, several countries in the subregion are advancing in consolidating agreements and strengthening institutional networks.

Country teams analyzed node governance, identified potential partner institutions to be incorporated, and prioritized needs for offering new courses.

The visualization of the campus as a strategy and resource for collaborative work and joint production was valued, empowering the subregion to make its own decisions adapted to its contexts. The heterogeneity of countries shows that each node adopts different management forms and development strategies based on diversity.

The consolidation of repositories, graduate mapping, and course impact evaluation by country nodes were also highlighted as key elements in the strategic use of VCPH identified during the workshop.

The meeting concluded with the creation of a classroom to foster a network of nodes from Central America, Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic as a space for exchanging experiences and resources, promoting subregional work to strengthen nodes. Guidance documents for node management, educational approach, and reference materials on HRH training were also shared.

Progress of Work under the Strengthening Program with Nodes in the Southern Cone Subregion

1 – Advances in Node Governance

Argentina Node

The Argentine VCPH/PAHO Node began its work in August 2007 in the city of La Plata, when a group of training institutions and ministries (national and provincial) agreed to work in a collaborative space to share courses, resources, services, and activities related to education, information, and knowledge management.

In mid-2008, the National Ministry of Health (MSAL), through an initiative of the National Directorate of Human Capital and Occupational Health (DNCHySO), whose primary responsibilities included training and capacity building of Health Human Resources (HRH), began providing technical assistance, bringing the training offered by PAHO’s Virtual Campus for Public Health to various areas and jurisdictional representatives. Thus, in response to the demand to reach people across the country, technical cooperation from the Argentine VCPH/PAHO Node facilitated the implementation of a series of continuing health education initiatives through its virtual environment and technical assistance for training in virtual design and teaching.

This collaboration continued for nearly two decades, developing a significant number of national courses, until after the pandemic, due to changes in health sector management, the management team was dismantled.

Currently, this node has not yet reorganized a management team, but in 2023 the country office began working with the Ministry of Health to develop the first Community of Practice on Patient Safety and Quality in Argentina. The work was supported by Garrahan Hospital. The interprogrammatic working group received support from several ministry directorates and the Virtual Campus.

Paraguay Node

Coordination of the Paraguay node is carried out by the National Strategic Directorate of Human Resources (DNERHS) of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, in joint work with the technical secretariat from the PAHO country office. This mode of operation has resulted in a close collaborative dynamic between the ministry’s training platform and VCPH.

In 2023, a meeting was held with DNERHS to strengthen node governance through coordinated work with the institutional partner network and aligned with the country’s cooperation agenda. Coordination is underway to expand the network of institutions in 2024 by incorporating the National Institute of Health (INS), regional technical counterparts of the health system, and academic institutions.

Uruguay Node

In 2022, PAHO’s representation in Uruguay signed a work agreement with the Faculty of Nursing of the University of the Republic for node management, which served as the basis for managing the courses offered by the node that year.

The VCPH regional team’s work agenda with the Uruguay node has focused on coordinated work with the Ministry of Health through PAHO’s country representation, with technical advisory support from the VCPH regional team to strengthen the ministry’s human resources training platform in 2022 and migrate mhGAP and suicide prevention courses to the ministry’s platform in 2023.

2 – Coordination with Educational Institutions

Uruguay Node

In 2022, it signed a work agreement with the Faculty of Nursing of the University of the Republic for node management.

3 – Development of National Training Plans and Technical Cooperation

Argentina Node

The following national courses were developed in this node during 2022/2023:

1. Course on Management in Transfusion Medicine: Self-sufficiency in Hemoderivative Medicines in Our Country – ARG – 2023
2. ARG-HSS-HS-Humanized Care – 2023 – 2nd Edition
3. Strengthening Health Teams in Quality and Patient Safety (FESCAS Level 2) – 2nd Edition – ARG – 2023
4. Community of Practice on High-Risk Medications – Argentina – 2023
5. Strengthening Health Teams in Quality and Patient Safety (FESCAS Level 2) – ARG – 2023
6. Patient Safety: From Theory to Practice – ARG – 2023
7. Humanized Care – Argentina – 2023 (2nd Edition)
8. Diploma in Community Mental Health – Tutor Training – 2022
9. Update on Cross-cutting Topics in PHC – Primary Health Care with Inclusive, Intercultural, and Contextual Approach (2022–2023)
10. Strengthening Health Teams in Quality and Patient Safety (FESCAS): Quality Referents – 4th Edition
11. Strengthening Health Teams in Quality and Patient Safety (FESCAS): Quality Referents – ARG (2022) – Cohort 3
12. Strengthening Health Teams in Quality and Patient Safety (FESCAS): Quality Referents – ARG (2022) – Cohort 2
13. Self-paced Course: National Follow-up Campaign for Measles, Rubella, and Polio – Argentina – 2022
14. Strengthening Health Teams in Quality and Patient Safety (FESCAS): Quality Referents (2022)
15. Course on Programming the National Vaccination Follow-up Campaign – ARG – 2022
16. How to Build a Health-Promoting School? – Argentina – 2022
17. Comprehensive Health History for GCBA Health Professionals – 2022 – Ambulatory Level
18. Comprehensive Health History for GCBA Health Professionals – 2023 – Ambulatory Level
19. Biosafety: Personal Protective Equipment. Self-care and Care. GCBA Public Health System – 2022
20. Cross-cutting Training in Public Health – GCBA – 2022
21. Management in Transfusion Medicine: Universality, Equity, and Social Justice in Our Federal Country – ARG – 2022
22. IVE/ILE in CABA: Public Policies and Best Practices in Sexual and Reproductive Health – ARG – GCBA – 2022
23. Tutorial Teaching Training for the Residency System: Pedagogical Strategies and Tools – 8th Edition – Argentina – GCBA – 2022
24. Introduction to Gender Perspective – Argentina – GCBA – 2022

Paraguay Node

During the 2022–2023 period, the node delivered the course on Malaria: Transmission, Surveillance, Current Epidemiological Situation, Diagnosis, and Treatment – Paraguay – 2022–2023 and the virtual course on Paraguay’s National Human Resources in Health Policy 2020–2030 – 3rd Edition.

Uruguay Node

As part of the agreement with the Faculty of Nursing of the University of the Republic, updates were made to the portal and new self-learning courses were launched:

1. Prescription of Physical Activity for Physicians (2022)
2. Implications of Alcohol Consumption on Health – Uruguay – 2022
3. Virtual Course: Pharmaceutical Services Based on Primary Health Care for Managers – Uruguay – 2022

In November 2023, the Ministry of Health launched the mhGAP course migrated from VCPH and adapted to Uruguay’s needs.

Meetings and Events

Workshop of Nodes from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay of the Virtual Campus for Public Health (VCPH), November 15–16, 2022

The meeting was held on November 15 and 16, 2022, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with delegations composed of government officials, PAHO advisors from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay, as well as special guests from the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH), USA, and EPSJB FIOCRUZ. The purpose of the meeting was to reinforce support for countries to achieve institutionalization of the Nodes and ensure the quality of their initiatives through coordinated and networked work among national authorities, educational institutions, and PAHO leadership. The agenda included topics related to the challenges of country nodes from the perspective of institutional integration, governance and institutional agreements; identification of priorities and coordination for the strategic use of regional products; review of new scenarios in virtual education, Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning; and presentation of new technological resources and data usage.

Main conclusions of the event:

• It is considered relevant to promote continuous and lifelong education using new technologies to integrate platforms beyond formal courses, adding more users based on national needs.
• The pandemic left valuable experiences that have allowed technical improvements to platforms with greater course integration, even with private sector participation.
• VCPH is working on improving the quality of user data to achieve greater integration with human resources information systems. In this regard, it is necessary to work with countries on managing common codes for data georeferencing.
• Consensus was reached that work on “Teaching Competencies in Public Health” represents the first framework for specific teaching competencies in public health adapted to different levels, serving as a guiding framework to strengthen teaching capacities. It could be a starting point for developing a future version for health workers.

Progress of Work under the Strengthening Program with Nodes in the Caribbean Subregion

Caribbean Node

1 – Advances in Node Governance

The Caribbean node is managed by PAHO, with a technical team composed of an IPC and support from the regional team. The main advances of the node are linked to the development of a significant course offering, driven by the human resources unit, PAHO technical areas, and the VCPH regional level.

2 and 3 – Coordination with Educational Institutions and Development of National Training Plans and Technical Cooperation

In 2022, five courses were delivered by the Caribbean node. In 2023, VCPH developed a project with The University of the West Indies for instructional design and development of the course “Building Competencies in Nursing Faculty for Hybrid Teaching.”

4 – Strategic Use of VCPH Usage Data. Portals for Dissemination.

The node’s portal maintains an adequate level of updates, including publication of news, courses, and regional webinars. During 2022, the node’s technical team analyzed the historical evolution of the node and user data from the dashboard. Publication of the results of this analysis is planned for the end of 2023.

Haiti Node

PAHO maintains leadership and management of the Haiti node through the work carried out by the national technical team, composed of two national consultants who perform coordination and webmaster functions. In 2023, the node developed the course “Planning and Management of Health Technologies” (in French) and the course “Methodology for Productive Management of Health Services” (in Spanish), the latter aimed at training the team of tutors who will deliver the French version of the course.

During 2023, the Haiti node maintained an active work agenda with the Ministry of Health focused on strengthening the capacities of health human resources in Haiti. This agenda included the project for developing a self-learning preparatory course for medical students entering social service. The node strengthens its link with national universities through this course project and the inter-institutional initiative to improve access to textbooks and scientific literature for health sciences students, opening opportunities to consolidate a node work network.

Caribbean Node Workshop of the Virtual Campus for Public Health, October 11–13, 2022

The Caribbean subregional meeting was held from October 11 to 13, 2022, in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, with delegations composed of PAHO consultants, health authorities, and universities from Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. Special guests also participated from CARPHA, CARICOM, The Network: Towards Unity for Health (TUFH), NextGenU.org, University of British Columbia, University of Miami, THEnet – the Training for Health Equity Network, and The Network: Towards Unity for Health Alliance.

The meeting aimed to strengthen support for the subregion to achieve institutionalization of the Caribbean Node through collaborative work among national authorities, universities, subregional integration organizations, and PAHO. As part of the agenda, topics were addressed related to emerging trends in health professional education and training during and after COVID-19; accreditation and regulatory systems to ensure the quality of education and health workforce practice; and a special session for presenting via webinar the proposal for Joint Action to Strengthen the Health Workforce in the Region of the Americas: The Americas Health Corps.

Main conclusions and recommendations:

• The Caribbean Node has achieved effective progress, and strengthening strategies are continuously implemented. Developing shared initiatives could help expand the node to other countries and territories in the Caribbean region.
• Priority should be given to strengthening capacities to develop proposals that respond to the needs of the Caribbean (developed BY Caribbean professionals, FOR the Caribbean).
• Develop strategies to identify gaps and training needs for human resources.
• Consolidate effective collaboration networks to strengthen the Caribbean Node.
• Develop studies to track Campus users and evaluate the impact of VCPH courses.
• Develop strategies for greater engagement with the private sector.