Cooperação Sul-Sul em Saúde: a experiência do programa ePORTUGUÊSe da OMS

Abstract

This study highlights the development of the ePORTUGUESe Network of the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2005, as a platform created to support collaboration and sharing of health information among the eight Portuguese-speaking countries in the world at that time. It addressed the enormous potential of this network to reinforce national health systems and to build human resources for health capacity. Above all, helping countries achieve their Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Objective: To evaluate the implementation process of the ePORTUGUESe Network, in the context of the South-South cooperation in health, focusing on Portuguesespeaking countries from 2005 to 2015. Method: It is a study with a qualitative approach that uses technical, scientific and administrative documentation for the ePORTUGUESe Network available from public repositories in several international or local institutions. In addition to a bibliographic review of South-South cooperation in health in Portuguese-speaking countries, semi-structured interviews were conducted in each country with relevant actors. Results: The ePORTUGUESe Network provided opportunities for cooperation between institutions and health professionals based in different countries. It helped improve access and sharing of technical and scientific knowledge and was a concrete example of South-South cooperation in health in Portuguese-speaking countries. The reduced engagement of those responsible for developing policies for human resources for health, as well as training institutions or professional associations, hampered the growth of the program. The scarcity of financial resources to carry out decentralized activities in countries has also adversely impacted the program. Final Considerations: This program was considered an example of a language-based network, with a focus on health. Although it was a complex program with many components developed and used to varying degrees in each country, it was relevant to reduce professional isolation and to improve access and exchange of health information in Portuguese. However, the lack of dissemination by health professionals, hindered the development of ePORTUGUESe Network strategies and ownership by countries.