Central America
The following is a graphical summary of the construction of these Digital Health strategies in the countries of the Central America subregion, grouped together:
-
- 0Without knowledge and/or without a planned agenda
- 1In progress
- 2It has a strategy, but it is not officially published
- 3Digital Health strategy publicly available online
Belize addresses Health as a major topic to tackle with its National Digital Agenda, but have not yet showcased a comprehansive Digital Health Strategy
-
- 0Without knowledge and/or without a planned agenda
- 1In progress
- 2It has a strategy, but it is not officially published
- 3Digital Health strategy publicly available online
Costa Rica's National Digital Health Strategy 2023-2030
Costa Rica has launched a comprehensive National Digital Health Strategy aimed at transforming its healthcare sector through digital technologies. This strategy aligns with both national health policies and international digital health initiatives.
Key Objectives
The strategy focuses on three main strategic objectives:
- Establish a governance framework, policies, regulations, and compliance mechanisms to enable digital transformation in the health sector.
- Accelerate digital literacy among health professionals and the general population to create a secure digital culture.
- Implement a national health information exchange architecture to facilitate interoperability, standardization, and governance of health data.
Strategic Lines
The strategy incorporates seven strategic lines based on WHO and ITU guidelines:
- Governance and Leadership
- Regulation, Policy, and Compliance
- Strategy and Investment
- Digital Literacy for Human Resources in Health
- Standards and Interoperability
- Information and Communication Technologies Infrastructure
- Digital Services and Applications
Areas of Intervention
The strategy addresses ten key areas:
- Health surveillance
- Primary health care
- Expansion of health service coverage
- Efficient, transparent, and results-oriented management processes
- Interoperability of information systems at national and international levels
- Strengthening digital services and health applications
- Evidence generation for decision-making
- Development of digital competencies in health professionals and service users
- Health data governance with a human rights approach
- Strengthening innovation ecosystems, entrepreneurship, and digital health businesses
Governance and Implementation
The strategy establishes a governance mechanism to ensure coordination among various stakeholders, including public and private sectors, academia, civil society, and international cooperation organizations. It will be implemented from 2023 to 2027, with funding from existing health sector budgets, potential loans from multilateral organizations, donations, public-private partnerships, and innovation funds
-
- 0Without knowledge and/or without a planned agenda
- 1In progress
- 2It has a strategy, but it is not officially published
- 3Digital Health strategy publicly available online
The country has issued a Digital Transformation Strategy, with some parts with it to adress Digital Health issues. In addition, in late 2021 the country published its 5 year plan and strategy for Digital Health. Currenltly, the digital agenda is in the final stages of review prior to publication
-
- 0Without knowledge and/or without a planned agenda
- 1In progress
- 2It has a strategy, but it is not officially published
- 3Digital Health strategy publicly available online
Guatemala officially publushed its 2022-2032 Digital Health strategy (December 2022)
-
- 0Without knowledge and/or without a planned agenda
- 1In progress
- 2It has a strategy, but it is not officially published
- 3Digital Health strategy publicly available online
Honduras has announced a significant step towards modernizing its healthcare system through the launch of a Digital Transformation Roadmap. This comprehensive plan aims to revolutionize the country's health sector in the short and medium term.
Key Aspects of the Digital Transformation Roadmap
The roadmap addresses several crucial areas:
- Governance
- Management
- Infrastructure
- Processes
- Institutional culture
- Knowledge management
It also includes strategies for digital health, such as the Action Plan for a Unique and Comprehensive Electronic Health Record (EUIS) and telemedicine initiatives.
Expected Outcomes
The digital transformation efforts are expected to:
- Improve medical care
- Streamline medical records
- Enhance clinical decision-making
- Strengthen telemedicine services
- Increase administrative efficiency
- Bolster epidemiological surveillance
Alignment with Regional Goals
This initiative aligns with Objective 6 of the Sustainable Health Agenda for the Americas (ASSA) 2018-2030, which focuses on Health Information Systems. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has recognized Honduras' commitment to developing its own strategic and technical framework for digital transformation.
Collaborative Effort
The launch event saw participation from various Honduran institutions, including the National Registry of Persons (RNP), the National Institute of Statistics (INE), and the Results Management Directorate (DIGER). International organizations such as PAHO, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were also represented.
This roadmap is part of the broader National Health Refoundation Plan 2024-2030, specifically addressing the integrated management of the public health system.
-
- 0Without knowledge and/or without a planned agenda
- 1In progress
- 2It has a strategy, but it is not officially published
- 3Digital Health strategy publicly available online
Mexico has a general Digital Transformation strategy, but not a dedeicated Digital Health Strategy.
-
- 0Without knowledge and/or without a planned agenda
- 1In progress
- 2It has a strategy, but it is not officially published
- 3Digital Health strategy publicly available online
Nicaragua did not published a Digital Health Strategy to date
-
- 0Without knowledge and/or without a planned agenda
- 1In progress
- 2It has a strategy, but it is not officially published
- 3Digital Health strategy publicly available online
The Ministry of Health (MINSA) of Panama, with support from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), has launched the National Strategy for Digital Health Transformation, aimed at modernizing the healthcare system through the integration of information and communication technologies (ICT). The strategy seeks to ensure that every citizen, regardless of location or condition, has access to timely and high-quality healthcare services, promoting equity, dignity, and the fundamental right to health.
Key Objectives
- Enhance Access and Quality: Improve the delivery of timely and efficient healthcare services, particularly in remote or underserved areas.
- Promote Equity: Address historical gaps in healthcare access through inclusive digital solutions.
- Optimize Healthcare Management: Streamline operations and decision-making through digitized processes and data.
- Foster Technological Innovation: Leverage tools like artificial intelligence and telemedicine to modernize healthcare delivery.
- Empower Citizens: Encourage active patient participation in health management through digital tools.
Development and Implementation
The strategy was presented by Health Minister Fernando Boyd Galindo and National Director of Health Planning Emma Correa de Crovari, with support from PAHO/WHO, represented by Ana Rivière Cinnamond. It aligns with Panama’s national development goals and international digital health recommendations. Implementation is driven by a multisectoral governance framework, involving collaboration between MINSA, other government entities, the private sector, and international organizations to ensure coordinated and sustainable execution.
Key Components
The strategy is built on five strategic pillars:
- Governance and Multisectoral Participation: Establish a collaborative framework to ensure coherence and sustainability of digital initiatives.
- Data and Information Management: Create a National Health Data Space to centralize and secure health information, ensuring ethical and safe use.
- Technology, Infrastructure, and Interoperability Management: Develop interoperable systems, such as the Electronic Medical Record, to facilitate secure data exchange across institutions.
- Knowledge Management and Exchange: Train healthcare professionals and citizens to promote digital literacy and adoption.
- Artificial Intelligence and National Telemedicine Program: Expand telemedicine to reach remote areas and use AI to enhance diagnostics and treatments.
Notable Achievements
- Telemedicine Expansion: Significant growth in providing medical care to thousands in remote areas.
- Electronic Health Records: Digitization of patient records to improve care continuity and operational efficiency.
- Technological Infrastructure: Investments in connectivity and cybersecurity to support digital transformation.
Expected Impact
The strategy aims to transform Panama’s healthcare system into a more accessible, efficient, and inclusive model, positioning the country as a regional leader in digital health. It seeks to bridge access gaps, enhance care quality, and uphold health as a fundamental right, with a focus on innovation and equity.
Region: Central America
- 0
- 1
- 2
- 3
Map mode
- Countries
- Heat map