Washington DC, January 25, 2024 (PAHO) – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the International Hospital Federation (IHF) have signed a technical cooperation agreement to strengthen hospital management capacity in the region, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The collaboration will focus on three main objectives: supporting the development of hospital management skills; Strengthening the management of hospital processes; and drive the transition to sustainable, climate-resilient healthcare with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.
“PAHO believes that solid, reliable, long-term collaboration is key to addressing health challenges in America,” said Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, Director of PAHO/WHO. “Together with IHF, we hope to empower the region’s hospital leaders to achieve hospital leadership for the future: innovative, integrated, patient-centered and sustainability-based services.”
PAHO, together with the IHF, will provide guidance on the restructuring and improvement of hospitals and the provision of specialized care to ensure adequate access to hospital services, including emergency, surgical, critical and outpatient care.
In addition, the collaboration aims to expand digital health services in hospitals and related networks and promote innovative approaches to improving healthcare delivery. PAHO and IHF will support the development of health service delivery programs that strengthen hospital climate resilience and leadership decisions.
“The healthcare sector is going through a period of significant change to adapt to future service demands. Collaborating with colleagues such as the international community allows us to address the global challenges and opportunities we face and work together to improve health outcomes for patients, health workers and the environment,” said Dr. Muna A. Tahlak, President of the IHF.
PAHO will collaborate with the IHF in leadership development and training for senior managers and executives of hospitals, particularly in their organization, management, operations and supervision, thereby promoting a culture of quality in the delivery of healthcare services.
The IHF, based in Geneva, Switzerland, is an organization that provides its members with a platform for knowledge exchange and networking with various stakeholders in the healthcare sector in order to improve the standard, quality and level of service delivery.
PAHO is the specialized health authority of the Inter-American System and serves as the regional office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO). It works daily with countries in the region to improve and protect the health of their populations.