The PAHO Director called for increased public spending on health beyond the current levels of 4.4% of GDP to build more resilient health systems, with primary health care as the foundation to address health needs of peoples and communities where they live.

He also called for greater coordination on cross-cutting issues that impact both health and economic sectors, such as strengthening regulatory capacity and supply chains for medical products.

“Investing in health is a political choice, and it is also the right choice,” Dr. Barbosa concluded in his remarks. “Protecting the region’s health is fundamental to advance economic and social development and to attain peace and security.”

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