The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) renewed the designation of the Institute for Clinical and Health Effectiveness (IECS) as Collaborating Centre for Health Technology Assessment (HTA)consolidating more than a decade of joint work aimed at strengthening health decision-making in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The continuation of the institutional link recognizes the technical capacity of IECS, the impact achieved in the region and its commitment to the generation and application of evidence for the development of more effective, efficient and equitable health systems.
Sustained work with regional impact
Since 2021, the work plan agreed with PAHO/WHO has focused on three strategic axes:
1. Strengthening technical capacities in the region
In recent years, IECS updated the PAHO virtual course on evaluation and rational use of health technologies; awarded dozens of full scholarships to RedETSA professionals; developed specific training for the English-speaking Caribbean; and received interns from institutions such as the National Resources Fund (Uruguay) and IETSI–EsSalud (Peru) for intensive training in HTA and meta-analysis, among other key actions.
2. Development and updating of methodological tools for RedETSA
The institute maintained and updated two key regional platforms:
- el Budget Impact Analysis (BIA) model,
- and the regional base of unit costs, used by 12 Latin American countries.
3. Generation and dissemination of evidence for decision-makers
More than 560 HTA reports prepared by the IECS were incorporated into BRISA, the regional database of health technology assessment reports, significantly expanding access to evidence for countries throughout the region.
In addition, the IECS actively participated in regional cooperation initiatives, including RedETSA, REBRATS and HTAi meetings, the holding of workshops and webinars, and the organization together with PAHO of RedETSA activities within the framework of the HTAi Annual Meeting 2025 in Buenos Aires, as well as in joint projects with countries such as Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Uruguay, Mexico, among others.
“The renewal is a recognition of the sustained work of our team and the confidence of PAHO/WHO in our contribution to the health priorities of the region and the world,” noted the Dr. Andrés Pichon-Riviere, general director of IECS and co-director of the Department of Health Technology Assessment and Health Economics.
Background: More than a decade of collaboration with PAHO/WHO
The link between IECS and PAHO/WHO formally began in 2013, when the Department of Health Sciences was first designated as a Collaborating Center. This designation entailed a commitment to support the regional implementation of WHO programs, develop research, train human resources, and contribute to strengthening health systems in the Americas.
Since then, the United Nations agency has periodically renewed this designation, recognizing IECS's sustained contribution to economic evaluations, methodological tools, evidence generation, and regional technical cooperation.
The PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centers in Argentina and the region These are institutions such as universities, hospitals, research centers, and ministries designated to support the organization's programmatic priorities. Their mission is to assist countries in addressing health challenges that transcend borders and require collaborative action to ensure sustainable and resilient health systems.
A renovation that projects the future
The new designation of the IECS as a Collaborative Centre for the period 2025–2029 It opens a new cycle of joint work, with expanded opportunities in areas such as economic evaluations, budget impact analysis, innovative methodologies and capacity building for member countries.
To learn more about PAHO/WHO collaborating centers go here