Right to Health, Social Participation, and the Strengthening of the EPHF

Date: 
Friday, November 19, 2021
Time: 
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 n. (EST)
Description: 

The Region of the Americas has historically stood out for promoting political and administrative transformations in favor of greater democratization of health systems, bringing decision-making levels closer to citizens and facilitating their participation. Likewise, the development and contributions of social movements and community-based organizations have been key to achieving greater access and equity in health at the regional level.

The renewed Essential Public Health Functions (EPHF) recognize that social participation plays an important role throughout the policy cycle, as an element that strengthens the ability to meet health objectives. Strengthening each of the 11 Essential Public Health Functions requires strong leadership and stewardship by the Health Authorities of each country in the region, but also the active participation of multiple actors, including social organizations and the civil society.

Objective(s) of the meeting: 

This Webinar highlighted the important experiences of social participation in health in the Region of the Americas, generate a space for reflection and debate on the new challenges that arise for participation in the current context and promote participation as a key element in strengthening the EPHF, involving more community organizations and civil society to this effort.

Brief synthesis of the topics: 
  • Participation and social mobilization, essential elements for strengthening Essential Public Health Functions
  • The importance of participation and social mobilization from the cultural diversity of the Region of the Americas
  • Participation and social mobilization as a key element in fulfilling the SDGs, especially Goal 3, Universal Health Coverage
  • Mechanisms to strengthen social participation from the institutional framework of the State: lessons learned from Brazil
  • The role of social organizations in addressing the processes of social determination of health and the deepening of the right to health
  • Lessons from social participation processes in relation to the fight against AIDS and the relevance of participation in other areas related to the right to health
  • The experience of Peru - intercultural work with adolescents
Speakers. Brief summary of the curriculum: 
  • Vivian Camacho: General Director de Traditional Medicine, Ministry of Health and Sports of Bolivia
  • Dheepa Rajan: Health Services Advisor, WHO, Headquarters
  • Fernando Pigatto: President of the National Health Council of Brazil
  • Alejandro Calvillo: Director of El Poder del Consumidor, Mexico
  • Rosmond Adams: Director of the Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV/AIDS (PANCAP/CARICOM)
  • Regional Health Directorate (DIRESA)
  • Amalia del Riego: Head of the Health Services and Access Unit, PAHO/WHO
Keywords: 
Heatlh Systems, Health for All, Universal Health, EFPH, Right to Health, Social Participation