José Roberto Ferreira

Cooperação e integração regional em saúde na América do Sul: a contribuição da Unasul-Saúde

The scope of this study is to discuss the process of integration of South America in the domain of health, from the constitution of the Union of South American Nations (Unasur), in May 2008, through to the emergence of the Unasur Council of Health, in 2009, and its ongoing development in the past year (2009-2010). This study is descriptive in nature and the medium of investigation was the case study. The authors present the main constituent elements of the South-American Health Agenda, with particular emphasis on the area of development and management of human resources in health, which was coordinated by Brazil in the past year. The authors conclude that this interchange will contribute to minimization of the asymmetries amongst the countries, collaborating to improve the quality of life and health conditions in the region.

Cooperação internacional em saúde: o caso da Fiocruz

This article reviews the trajectory of international cooperation in the light of the adjustments made at the leading international conferences on the topic (Buenos Aires, 1978; Rome, 2003; Paris, 2005; Accra, 2008; and Busan, 2011). This article aligns these new approaches with the practices Fiocruz has adopted, such as “structural cooperation in health,” namely a diplomatic approach that includes various aspects raised at the aforementioned international conferences oriented towards supporting health systems as a whole. The new approach does not focus exclusively on specific diseases or health issues and addresses health from the perspective of its biological, social and environmental determinants.This article reviews the trajectory of international cooperation in the light of the adjustments made at the leading international conferences on the topic (Buenos Aires, 1978; Rome, 2003; Paris, 2005; Accra, 2008; and Busan, 2011). This article aligns these new approaches with the practices Fiocruz has adopted, such as “structural cooperation in health,” namely a diplomatic approach that includes various aspects raised at the aforementioned international conferences oriented towards supporting health systems as a whole. The new approach does not focus exclusively on specific diseases or health issues and addresses health from the perspective of its biological, social and environmental determinants.

Health and development in BRICS countries

At the beginning of the century, the acronym BRIC first appeared in a study produced by an economist at Goldman Sachs. Economic and financial interest in BRICS resulted from the fact of them being seen as drivers of development. The purpose of this review is to analyze the extent to which what is being proposed at the Declarations of Heads of State and in the Declaration and Communique of Ministers of Health of BRICS can provide guidance to the potential of achieving a healthier world. With that in mind, the methodology of analysis of Statements and Communique rose from the discussions at the Summit of Heads of State and Ministers of Health was adopted. In the first instance, the study focused on the potential for economic, social and environmental development, and in the second, on the future of health within the group addressed. The conclusion reached was that despite the prospect of continued economic growth of BRICS countries, coupled with plausible proposals for the health sector, strong investment by the countries in S&T and technology transfer within the group, research on the social and economic determinants that drive the occurrence of NCDs – there is the need and the opportunity for joint action of the BRICS in terms of the “diplomacy of health” reinforcing the whole process of sustainable development.

Cooperação estruturante, a experiência da Fiocruz

This article examines the structural approach to health cooperation, focusing on its meaning as a method for promoting institutional policies to improve management models. We draw attention to the differences between this approach and the traditional disease-based approach, showing that the structural approach is centered on health systems, reinforces global governance, and embodies the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), thus taking on a multi-sectoral dimension. This approach leverages the maximum potential of international cooperation by establishing structuring networks and promoting relations between partner countries through their national health institutions, schools of public health, and technical staff. By way of example, we show that this approach is applied in the Union of South American Nations (UNASUL, acronym in Portuguese) and Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries (CPLP, acronym in Portuguese), especially in Africa. Finally, we underline the importance of this approach for South-South relations, where it addresses the real necessities of partner countries, unlike North-South cooperation that is characterized by power asymmetries, especially within the economic and technical-scientific dimensionsThis article examines the structural approach to health cooperation, focusing on its meaning as a method for promoting institutional policies to improve management models. We draw attention to the differences between this approach and the traditional disease-based approach, showing that the structural approach is centered on health systems, reinforces global governance, and embodies the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), thus taking on a multi-sectoral dimension. This approach leverages the maximum potential of international cooperation by establishing structuring networks and promoting relations between partner countries through their national health institutions, schools of public health, and technical staff. By way of example, we show that this approach is applied in the Union of South American Nations (UNASUL, acronym in Portuguese) and Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries (CPLP, acronym in Portuguese), especially in Africa. Finally, we underline the importance of this approach for South-South relations, where it addresses the real necessities of partner countries, unlike North-South cooperation that is characterized by power asymmetries, especially within the economic and technical-scientific dimensions.

Cooperação estruturante, a experiência da Fiocruz Structural Cooperation, the Fiocruz experience

This article examines the structural approach to health cooperation, focusing on its meaning as a method for promoting institutional policies to improve management models. We draw attention to the differences between this approach and the traditional disease-based approach, showing that the structural approach is centered on health systems, reinforces global governance, and embodies the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), thus taking on a multi-sectoral dimension. This approach leverages the maximum potential of international cooperation by establishing structuring networks and promoting relations between partner countries through their national health institutions, schools of public health, and technical staff. By way of example, we show that this approach is applied in the Union of South American Nations (UNASUL, acronym in Portuguese) and Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries (CPLP, acronym in Portuguese), especially in Africa. Finally, we underline the importance of this approach for South-South relations, where it addresses the real necessities of partner countries, unlike North-South cooperation that is characterized by power asymmetries, especially within the economic and technical-scientific dimensionsThis article examines the structural approach to health cooperation, focusing on its meaning as a method for promoting institutional policies to improve management models. We draw attention to the differences between this approach and the traditional disease-based approach, showing that the structural approach is centered on health systems, reinforces global governance, and embodies the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), thus taking on a multi-sectoral dimension. This approach leverages the maximum potential of international cooperation by establishing structuring networks and promoting relations between partner countries through their national health institutions, schools of public health, and technical staff. By way of example, we show that this approach is applied in the Union of South American Nations (UNASUL, acronym in Portuguese) and Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries (CPLP, acronym in Portuguese), especially in Africa. Finally, we underline the importance of this approach for South-South relations, where it addresses the real necessities of partner countries, unlike North-South cooperation that is characterized by power asymmetries, especially within the economic and technical-scientific dimensions.