Guatemala has become the first country in the Region of the Americas to use national funds to purchase telehealth equipment through the Pan American Health Organization’s Regional Revolving Funds, marking a significant step in expanding telehealth services and strengthening primary health care. The investment includes more than 1,400 units—729 telehealth kits and 729 maternal-fetal monitors—aimed at increasing access to specialized services in rural and remote communities. Over 200 units have already been distributed, bringing diagnosis, monitoring, and clinical follow-up closer to populations that previously faced significant barriers to care.
Dr. Joaquín Barnoya, Guatemala’s Minister of Public Health and Social Assistance, described the initiative as a historic step to modernize the Integrated Health Services Network. He emphasized that maternal-fetal monitors will support follow-up care within communities, help identify risk factors early, and ensure timely referrals for pregnancies that may develop complications, improving maternal and fetal health outcomes in underserved areas.
The Telekit Maternity package, combining telehealth kits and maternal-fetal monitors, expands prenatal care and maternal health follow-up, particularly in hard-to-reach areas, enabling the early detection of potential risks. The equipment is part of PAHO’s Regional Revolving Funds, a pooled procurement mechanism that provides vaccines, medicines, and health technologies across the Americas, increasing accessibility and reducing costs for member countries.
Other countries in the region have also strengthened telehealth through PAHO support. In 2025, Peru procured diagnostic equipment for remote areas to bolster its telehealth strategy, while Bolivia received PAHO-donated telekits and maternal-fetal monitors to enhance its National Telehealth Program.
Alma Morales, PAHO/WHO Representative in Guatemala, noted that the use of national funds through the Regional Revolving Funds demonstrates a commitment to digital health transformation and equitable access to health services, contributing to stronger primary health care and reduced health inequalities. Santiago Cornejo, Executive Manager of PAHO’s Regional Revolving Funds, added that the mechanism allows countries to access high-quality telehealth technologies at lower costs through transparent procurement, optimizing public resources and facilitating implementation.
