The meeting had the following objectives: to promote health as a human right and a duty of the State, guaranteeing universal access in an equitable, inclusive and sustainable manner; to defend the protection of labor and trade union rights for public and private health workers, under conditions of equality, equity and safety in environments free of violence and harassment, with broad collective bargaining coverage recognized by law; to influence the formulation of public policies, promoting the quality and warmth of health care for the population, under the premise that health should always be above profit; to strengthen and expand the organizations representing workers in this sector, whether public and/or private, including at the regional level, in addition to exchanging best practices among the countries participating in the project and all others in the Americas. The Finnish trade union movement’s development cooperation organization (SASK) financially supported the encounter.

Ana Maria Costa, PhD in Health Sciences, lecturer in Collective Health and former director of ALAMES (Latin American Association for Social Medicine and Collective Health), presented a regional perspective on the promotion of health as a human right and state responsibility. Pedro Villardi, PSI Interamerica's health equity coordinator, presented a report on the organization of health workers and the struggle for better conditions, and an overview of global health policy including the challenges and international instruments that are available.

Maria Helena Machado from Fiocruz in Brazil, Kelly Nedrow from AFT (American Federation of Teachers) and Deborah Burger from NNU (National Nurses United) were invited to discuss what the post-covid world will or should look like, the crisis of the health worker shortage and health safety at work. Euan Gibb and Steven Ward from PSI presented new challenges in union organizing in the health sector. Steven presented the strategies and progress of PSI’s global organizing projects including at UnitedHealth Group, a US-based multinational with a presence in several Latin American countries.

Our leadership from the health sector is meeting to strengthen coordination and cooperation throughout Inter-America. The creation of a new regional Federation of PSI’s affiliates in the health sector is a victory for health workers throughout the Americas. The health sector is in crisis throughout the region. The new Federation will fight to defend health as a universal public good. That means comprehensive, quality, well-financed systems with sufficient professionals who enjoy good working conditions where their rights are fully respected”, Gibb emphasized.

Inter-America's Regional Health Federation

PSI regional secretary Jocelio Drummond celebrates the formation of the federation. "After almost 25 years we finally have a regional federation for the health sector, which was unanimously approved at this meeting that brought together representatives from 15 countries. This is an extraordinary event because it will allow us to improve the capacity of workers to fight for health as a public good and for better working conditions and more rights at the regional level," he said.

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