Telemedicine for social inclusion

Introduction

This Triangular Cooperation Initiative, supported through the ADELANTE Window, brought together key public health and academic actors from Europe and Latin America to address the challenge of ensuring universal access to essential health services in vulnerable municipalities. It focused on strengthening the capacity of the Prefeitura Municipal de Bom Jardim (Brazil) to design and implement a local telemedicine model as a strategy for advancing health equity and social inclusion.

Built on a four-fold approach—regulatory, health, scientific-technological, and budgetary—,the Initiative brought together contributions from leading institutions including the Ministry of Health of Panama, the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), the Italian-Latin American Institute (IILA), and Italy’s National Institute of Health (ISS). Their combined expertise shaped a comprehensive framework to tackle both immediate and structural barriers to healthcare in remote and underserved areas.

By integrating practical experience, policy knowledge, and technological innovation, the Initiative supported the development of a replicable telemedicine model tailored to small municipalities across Latin America. It also contributed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to universal health coverage, social protection, and equitable access to essential services.

Objectives

The Initiative strengthened the capacity of the beneficiary to establish a locally driven telemedicine model, structured around regulatory, health, scientific-technological, and budgetary pillars. The model contributes to universal health coverage and improved access to quality essential services, with a particular focus on social inclusion and reaching the most vulnerable populations.

Project activities

• Study on the status of telemedicine in Latin America and Europe using a four-axis analytical framework (regulatory, health, scientific-technological, budgetary).
• Specific consultancy on cybersecurity and data protection in telemedicine systems.
• Virtual seminar sharing research findings and experiences from each partner institution.
• Stakeholder engagement sessions with local civil servants, social workers, and patient associations.
• Study visit to Panama to learn from the Ministry of Health’s Telehealth and Integrated Digital Health Systems.
• Design and presentation of a roadmap and framework document for local telemedicine implementation in Bom Jardim.
• Training and capacity building for municipal health and social assistance personnel.

Expected results

The Initiative helped create a robust and adaptable model for implementing telemedicine in small municipalities, grounded in scientific evidence, policy guidance, and practical field experience. This model, developed through participatory processes and cross-regional exchange, has enabled Bom Jardim to begin addressing long-standing gaps in health service delivery for vulnerable populations.

The partnership produced a comprehensive framework document guiding the design and deployment of local telemedicine services. This continues to be refined through ongoing application in Bom Jardim and is ready for adaptation in other contexts. The active engagement of local health and social service staff was key to fostering institutional ownership and sustainability.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic hindered some planned activities (such as the study visit to Italy), the Partnership adapted flexibly and maintained its momentum. Notably, the first provider (Ministry of Health of Panama) has successfully applied the knowledge generated by enhancing its own teleconsultation systems and extending services to underserved areas. The Initiative also positioned the Ministry of Health  as a regional reference in telemedicine and policy innovation.

The collective efforts of all entities laid the foundation for a continued collaboration platform, bringing together institutional commitment, research expertise, and social innovation in service of health equity.

Implementing partners

Prefeitura Municipal de Bom Jardim (Brazil) – Beneficiary

Ministerio de Salud de Panamá (Panama) – First Provider

Italian-Latin American Institute – IILA (Italy) – Second Provider

Instituto de Salud Global de Barcelona – ISGlobal (Spain) – Second Provider

Collaborating entities:

• Centro Nazionale per la Telemedicina e le Nuove Tecniche Assistenziali (ISS, Italy)
• Instituto Latinoamericano de Salud Cerebral (BrainLat, Argentina)