Countries in the Americas launched REFSA to strengthen cooperation on managing national health funds, with PAHO’s support, aiming for more efficient, transparent, and equitable health systems.
Representatives from national health funds in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay have officially launched the National Health Funds Network in the Americas (REFSA), a regional initiative supported by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to enhance cooperation on the management, allocation, and efficient use of healthcare resources.
National health funds are public entities responsible for managing financial resources for health systems in each country. The first official meeting of REFSA, held on April 4, 2025, marks a significant milestone in a process that began in 2023, when PAHO facilitated bilateral exchanges between Brazil’s National Health Fund and other regional counterparts.
REFSA aims to promote knowledge exchange, regional cooperation, transparency, accountability, and innovation in healthcare financing. It will also develop regional public goods, foster technological innovation, and work towards more equitable and sustainable health systems in the Americas.
