Table 1.

Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic in Latin America.

• Avoid fragmentation and segmentation of the health system

• Enhance data integration between sectors

• Improve transfer of inputs and deployment of personnel

• Better linking of health and safety authorities

• Build up a strong capacity for molecular (RT‐PCR) testing

• Validate rapid tests for complementary diagnosis

• Improve primary care interventions before admission to ICU

• Improve ICU capacities including facilities, equipment, and personnel

• Better management and monitoring of non‐COVID patients

• Promote education of human resources, including health professionals

• Improve health personnel’s working conditions (salaries, PPE, among others)

• Enhance medical training during the pandemic

• Warrant medicinal oxygen supplement

• Monitor transparency in health authorities’ decision‐making documents

• Use of medications with evidence and develop evidence-based guidelines

• Provide appropiate information about public health policy and decision‐making processes

• Develop more capacities in biotechnology (for development of tests, treatments, and vaccines)

Modified from Herrera-Añazco et al. (86).