Belize has joined the Network on Essential Public Health Functions to Strengthen Stewardship and Governance (RedFESP), becoming the latest country to participate in a regional initiative focused on improving public health systems across the Americas. The announcement was made during the second virtual seminar organized by RedFESP on the implementation and institutionalization of Essential Public Health Functions (EPHFs).
The regional seminar brought together health representatives from Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Panama, Peru, the Dominican Republic, and Uruguay to exchange experiences and strategies for strengthening public health governance. Officials from El Salvador, Panama, and Peru shared examples of national approaches to assessing, planning, monitoring, and improving EPHFs within their healthcare systems.
RedFESP highlighted the importance of cooperation and knowledge-sharing among countries with different healthcare structures and challenges. The platform allows member countries to exchange lessons, identify effective practices, and develop stronger approaches to integrating essential public health functions into health system management.
The experiences shared during the seminar will contribute to a regional document being developed by RedFESP to support countries in advancing the institutionalization of EPHFs. The initiative aims to improve health system leadership, governance, and long-term resilience across the region.
The Network on Essential Public Health Functions to Strengthen Stewardship and Governance is supported by the member states of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and focuses on strengthening public health capacity through collaboration, assessment, and continuous improvement.
