The institutional relation between BIREME and the Brazilian Ministry of Health (MH) is operated through Agreements and Cooperation Terms (CT) managed through PAHO/WHO Brazil. Currently, CT93 is aimed towards the strengthening, improvement and implementation of its technical cooperation program as a PAHO/WHO Specialized Center on scientific and technical health information.
On July 11 and 12, representatives of the Executive Secretariat (SAA/SE), of the Primary Health Care and Digital Health Departments, and of the General Coordination of Documentation and Information (CGDI) of the Ministry of Health, led by Rodrigo dos Santos Santana, Director of the Executive Secretariat Programs, met at BIREME with the Director, Dr. Diego González and his team, in order to discuss the second Addendum to Cooperation term 93 (TA2 CT93).
The logical matrix of TA2 began to be outlined in May, when Alexandre Pozza Urnau Silva, Subsecretary of Administrative Issues, and the CGDI team visited BIREME[1]. Based on recommendations made in this occasion, BIREME presented a first proposal. During the meetings on the July 11-12, and with the remote presence of Dr. Erno Harzheim, Joint Executive Secretary, the MH representatives and the BIREME team agreed upon the content of the new logical matrix.
TA2 is made up of four main Expected Results (ER): (1) Development of information products and services for strengthening the Primary Health Care (PHC) model, the Family Health Strategy and actions for prevention and management of infectious and chronic diseases; (2) Exchanging experiences in Information and Knowledge Management in health, through national and international cooperation, in order to increase the production, visibility, access and use of scientific knowledge in Latin American and the Caribbean; (3) Application of information and knowledge management in different levels of the health system, in order to support the development of studies, research, creation of lines of research, production, and dissemination of knowledge on digital health and telehealth in the Unified Health System (SUS); and (4) Health systems and services strengthened in order to support the processes of health information and knowledge management, as well as to democratize access and use of scientific evidence. Each ER is composed of indicators, goals and verification sources, which guide the development of the products and services throughout the project, as well as to referral at the end of its term.
It is important to note that most of the members of the MH were visiting BIREME for the first time and, thus, had the opportunity of touring the premises, with special mention to the Historical Mural. Furthermore, Dr. González delivered a detailed presentation on the Center’s mission, institutionality and work plan, which was followed by exhibitions of the projects, products and services of the technical and administrative managements.
According to Rodrigo Santana, Director of the Program of the MH Executive Secretariat, “the visit could not have been better, including the realization of the potential of BIREME/PAHO Brazil. During our visit, we were able to confirm our impressions on the quality of the actions and services offered by the technical team in São Paulo, under the coordination of Dr. Diego González. Without any doubts, this partnership represents the continuity of the dissemination of information, knowledge and scientific output in Brazila and in Latin America and the Caribbean. There is more yet to come!”
TA2 to CT93 strengthens the institutional relation between BIREME and the MH, considering the local, regional and international impact of the products and services developed within the framework of this technical cooperation, in favor of access to health scientific information and evidence.
[1] Management, institutionality and technical cooperation of BIREME are part of the agenda of the Ministry of Health of Brazil. BIREME Bulletin n° 31. Available at: http://boletin.bireme.org/en/2019/04/29/management-institutionality-and-technical-cooperation-of-bireme-are-part-of-the-agenda-of-the-ministry-of-health-of-brazil/