Author Archives: andreasilva

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BIREME presents AI innovations at global meetings

BIREME/PAHO/WHO participated in two strategic meetings held in Rwanda on April 2-4, 2025, the Kigali Meeting with the Gates Foundation’s Grand Challenges Artificial Intelligence (AI) Community, and the Global AI Summit on Africa, organized by C4IR Rwanda in coordination with the World Economic Forum. The events brought together researchers, government representatives and international experts to debate the role of AI in promoting development with equity.

Francisco Barbosa Junior, an AI specialist from BIREME’s Development team, represented the Center at the activities, presenting technological innovation experiences for digital libraries, such as the Super Summaries and the DeCS Finder AI. Developed by BIREME to boost the digital transition of the Virtual Health Library’s (VHL) products and services, the resources stood out for operating with specialized language models and accessible infrastructure.

On April 2, the Kigali Meeting with the Grand Challenges AI Community brought together researchers and experts covered by the Gates Foundation’s Artificial Intelligence Grand Challenges fellowships, for an agenda of knowledge exchange, project demonstrations and networking between representatives of the Global South. Then, on April 3 and 4, the group joined participants in the Africa AI Global Summit, including government leaders, technology experts and representatives of multilateral agencies, in debates on the role of AI in tackling social challenges, with an emphasis on public health and digital equity.

The program included technical sessions, project pitches, discussion circles, panels and comments, with names such as Bill Gates (Chairman of the Gates Foundation), Sam Altman (CEO of OpenAI), Faure Gnassingbé (President of the Republic of Togo), Paul Kagame (President of the Republic of Rwanda), Paula Ingabire (Rwandan Minister of Innovation) and Trevor Mundel (President of Global Health at the Gates Foundation), who highlighted the urgency of expanding access to sustainable and locally relevant digital technologies.

In focus: digital equity and data sovereignty

During the events, BIREME’s experience drew attention for the technical efficiency and economic viability of its artificial intelligence solutions, developed to operate in contexts of limited infrastructure. Francisco Junior presented two main products, the Super Summaries and the DeCS Finder AI.

The Super Summaries were designed with the aim of enabling the delivery of results using large language models (LLMs) in environments with limited computing resources. “We use a reduced and specialized version of Meta’s LLaMA model, which runs on our own servers, with local control and low energy consumption, which is essential for public institutions like ours,” explains Junior. The project consists of the automated generation of short summaries, between 34 and 63 words, based on the abstracts of scientific articles. The versions already produced are available for consultation in the MOSAICO database, accessible through the VHL. To develop the tool, the BIREME team applied fine-tuning and prompt engineering techniques, adjusting parameters such as temperature and thematic focus to ensure quality and accuracy. “This process is a first step towards the development of more robust solutions, such as an automated system to display synthesis of evidence,” adds Junior.

DeCS Finder AI was designed to improve the user experience when indexing health scientific texts. The tool is based on Annif, an open-source system developed by the National Library of Finland to automate the indexing of documents by subject, using natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML). Adapted by BIREME’s team, the model analyzes texts and identifies the most suitable DeCS descriptors to represent scientific articles, abstracts and full texts. In addition to facilitating semi-automatic indexing according to the LILACS methodology, DeCS Finder AI is able to process texts in different languages and export results in compatible formats for submission to databases and journals.

Converging paths for south-south cooperation

The meetings also revealed the challenges faced by the African continent in terms of access to computing infrastructure and linguistic expertise in AI. “Today, only 2% of global AI server capacity is installed on the African continent, which significantly limits the region’s technological autonomy. Added to this is an important cultural barrier, the diversity of local languages and dialects, which are often absent from large language models, makes it difficult to adapt and effectively use these technologies in real contexts,” says the expert.

BIREME’s participation in the events in Kigali highlighted not only the potential of technologies developed from Latin America, but also the importance of inclusive and sustainable approaches to artificial intelligence and the promotion of equity between countries and regions of the world. Sharing experiences with other institutions from the Global South highlighted the need for investment in infrastructure and public policies to guarantee the technological sovereignty of developing countries. Specialized models with local control, such as those adopted by BIREME, have been recognized by experts as a viable and scalable alternative for contexts with limited resources.

Besides the technical presentations, the Summit also marked a step forward in digital governance on the African continent with the launch of the African Declaration on Artificial Intelligence. The document proposes principles for the ethical, responsible and inclusive use of AI, with special attention to linguistic diversity and technological autonomy – themes that also guide BIREME’s work in Latin America and the Caribbean. The convergence of values between the African and Latin American initiatives reaffirms the strategic role of South-South cooperation in building a digital transformation that is fairer, more accessible and centered on the population’s needs.

Source: https://boletin.bireme.org/en/2025/04/30/bireme-presents-ai-innovations-at-global-meetings/

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Technical cooperation for the Virtual Pandemic Memorial

On April 25, 2025, BIREME hosted a meeting with teams from the Ministry of Health, PAHO/WHO Brazil and experts to establish the joint work plan for the project to develop the future “COVID-19 Pandemic Memorial” online portal. The initiative will be implemented under Adjustment Term 13 (TA13) of Term of Cooperation 95 (TC95), in coordination with the Cultural Center of the Ministry of Health (CCMS), the General Coordination of Documentation and Information (CGDI), the Undersecretariat of Administrative Affairs (SAA) of the Ministry’s Executive Secretariat (SE) and BIREME/PAHO/WHO.

As a result, another stage of technical cooperation is effectively underway between the institutions involved in projects aimed at strengthening memory, communication and document preservation policies in the context of public health. The Pandemic Memorial will be both a physical and digital space focusing on testimonies about the remarkable experiences and stories of individuals during the pandemic, including the actions of health workers, and reflect on the challenges faced during this critical period in recent history.

Regarding the relevance of the project, Fabíola Simoni Santos, Head of the Cultural Center of the Ministry of Health (CCMS/CGDI/SAA/SE), emphasized: “The implementation of the COVID-19 Memorial repository is of utmost importance, as it embodies the concepts of memory and reparation for civil society and the governmental, academic, and research sectors. It is about ensuring that this historical moment is remembered and that the testimonies and records captured from this period are always preserved and accessible. In addition to being innovative in its theme, the project also stands out for the digital robustness that is being planned for its implementation.”

The agreed work plan involves management and governance stages, the development of the documentary and bibliographic collections that will make up the repository, the content management system, the development of the online portal itself, and communication and dissemination actions. The work schedule for the development of the COVID-19 Memorial portal foresees activities and deliveries scheduled until August 2026 in its first phase.

During the meeting held at BIREME, the guidelines for the development of the project were also aligned, based on the mapping of Brazilian and Latin American memory initiatives, and including legal and ethical premises, among other essential aspects for the success and sustainability of technical cooperation.

The building of the COVID-19 Pandemic Memorial online portal represents a collective commitment to preserving historical memory, strengthening Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS), valuing science and promoting human rights. For the Brazilian Ministry of Health, the initiative is anchored in the conviction that remembering is an essential step towards learning, repairing and transforming.

The teams from BIREME, CCMS, CGDI of the Ministry of Health, PAHO Brazil and preservation experts were unanimous about the lessons to be learned, perspectives on the results to be achieved and synergies so that the initiative can also be a reference for other countries in the Latin American and the Caribbean region. “The development of the Virtual Health Memorial for COVID-19 represents a breakthrough in the digital frontiers of information products and services, by integrating memory, innovation, and technology for the collective good. This powerful model places cutting-edge technology and digital innovation at the service of public health. From this first implementation, we hope to develop a new line of technical cooperation that enables countries in our region to document the experiences and journeys of their populations toward the realization of the right to health for all in the Americas,” emphasized Director João Paulo Souza.

Source: https://boletin.bireme.org/en/2025/04/30/technical-cooperation-for-the-virtual-pandemic-memorial/
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Science, ancestral knowledge and digital transformation in dialogue for public health

How can science, ancestral knowledge and digital transformation be combined for the benefit of public health? This was the proposal put forward by João Paulo Souza, director of BIREME/PAHO/WHO, during the ‘Knowledge for Care’ seminar, held on April 8 and 9 in São Paulo, as part of the SESC Inspira program, which celebrates World Health Day with educational and cultural activities at its units.

Organized by São Paulo’s Social Service of Commerce (SESC) – a Brazilian institution dedicated to promoting health, culture, education and social well-being – the event brought together more than 200 participants, including health professionals, local policymakers, staff from various SESC units and the general public. The seminar was also attended by renowned academics, health professionals and traditional healers, reflecting an intercultural approach to care and knowledge.

In his speech, João Paulo Souza shared the progress in the collaborative construction of the WHO Traditional Medicine Global Library (TMGL), an initiative led by BIREME and the WHO Global Center for Traditional Medicine (WHO GTMC), in conjunction with other institutions and collaborative networks.

Souza emphasized that digital transformation has the potential to be a great ally of traditional knowledge: “Digital transformation can be an ally of ancestry when it is used to preserve, connect and protect the knowledge of peoples. From this perspective, it is possible to develop multisystem databases to identify safe, effective and culturally appropriate practices inspired by traditional wisdom.”

TMGL was presented as a collaborative and decentralized digital infrastructure designed to integrate traditional knowledge, practices and care systems from different regions of the world, in dialogue with a contemporary scientific approach. Conceived from a multisystem perspective, the library seeks to articulate ancestral knowledge with modern science and digital technologies, promoting intercultural respect, health equity and sustainability. According to Souza, this approach opens up the possibility of enriching public health policies and practices by integrating different medical rationalities under the criteria of safety, efficacy and cultural relevance.

Souza explained that TMGL will include a global portal, six regional portals and national and thematic collections, such as Ayurveda, indigenous medicines, African ancestral medicine and Afro-diasporic medicine, among others. Its functionalities include access to scientific databases, evidence maps, digital preservation of traditional knowledge, protection of the collective intellectual property of indigenous peoples and local communities (PICL). All this with the aim of strengthening informed and culturally appropriate decision-making in public policies and health systems.

During his presentation, BIREME’s director also highlighted the challenge of promoting a respectful and productive epistemic dialogue between the different knowledge systems: “The challenge is how to guarantee universal, inclusive and respectful access to these practices, recognizing their community, ancestral and spiritual value, while identifying those that are safe, effective and culturally appropriate to strengthen health systems from a pluralistic perspective,” he said.

The presentation concluded with a call for collaboration, emphasizing that TMGL is a public good built collectively, whose development depends on the joint commitment of networks, communities, institutions and decision-makers: “Nothing is built alone. TMGL will be a public good, the result of collaboration between networks, communities and institutions.”

João Paulo Souza during his presentation at the “Knowledge for Care” seminar, part of the ‘SESC Inspires’ program, which celebrates World Health Day with educational and cultural activities at its units.

Further information (in Portuguese): https://www.sescsp.org.br/editorial/saberes-do-cuidado/

Source: https://boletin.bireme.org/en/2025/04/30/science-ancestral-knowledge-and-digital-transformation-in-dialogue-for-public-health/

DeCS 2025 Edition is available

The multilingual thesaurus Descriptors in Health Sciences/Medical Subject Headings (DeCS), maintained by the Latin American and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences Information of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (BIREME/PAHO/WHO), has incorporated 206 new descriptors in its 2025 update, 192 from MeSH and 14 inserted in categories exclusive to DeCS. The latest version was made available for consultation on March 28, 2025.

With an increase of 0.8 % compared to the previous edition, DeCS brings together around 735,000 terms (descriptors and synonyms) in four languages, remaining the reference vocabulary for organizing and retrieving scientific and technical health literature.

Main changes to the 2025 edition

Categories with the highest number of new descriptors

  • L – Information Science… 45
  • D – Chemicals and Drugs… 44
  • C – Diseases … 19
  • N – Health Care… 19
  • E – Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques, and Equipment… 16
  • F – Psychiatry and Psychology… 13
  • SP – Public Health… 12
  • I – Anthropology, Education, Sociology, and Social Phenomena… 8
  • G – Phenomena and Processes… 6
  • M – Named Groups… 6

DeCS and MeSH special projects

The 2025 edition adjusts the vocabulary in line with debates on technology and inclusion. Category L – Information Science has expanded the artificial intelligence theme, incorporating descriptors such as Generative Artificial Intelligence; Large Language Models and Generative Adversarial Networks, terms used in studies on text and image creation algorithms.

Terminology related to gender and sexuality was also reviewed. Expressions such as Gestational Carriers and Gender-Affirming Surgery replace previous names, bringing DeCS into line with international recommendations for inclusive language.

In partnership with experts from the VHL Nursing, the update introduces descriptors that deal with the profession as a social practice and the health work process, as well as changes to scope notes and the inclusion of various synonyms to existing descriptors.

The Homeopathy category saw the completion of the revision that began in 2022, with a hierarchical reorganization. Medicines are now classified by animal, plant, viral or bacterial origin, which simplifies the search by type of raw material.

In response to suggestions from users, the DeCS exclusive categories now include strategic descriptors for Public Health, such as Protected Residences for Persons with Psychiatric Disorders, Epizootic, Vaccination Dropout Rates and Event Supposedly Attributable to Vaccination and for Health Surveillance, such as Bacilloscopy. The additions reinforce the importance of continuous dialog with indexers, researchers and health professionals, whose feedback keeps the thesaurus aligned with the information demands of practice and research.

Launch webinar

Broadcast live on April 3, 2025, the webinar presenting the 2025 edition brought together 193 participants from 16 countries. The audience was mainly from Brazil (112 participants; 58 %), followed by Colombia (19; 10 %), Argentina (15; 8 %) and Honduras (13; 7 %). There were also participants from Angola (1), Bolivia (3), Chile (2), Costa Rica (3), El Salvador (6), Guatemala (4), Mexico (1), Panama (1), Peru (4), Dominican Republic (3), Uruguay (5) and Venezuela (1).

The event featured presentations by Josilaine Oliveira Cezar (PUC-PR), Ana Cristina Espindola Campos and Luciana Piovezan Rio Branco (both from BIREME/PAHO/WHO), who covered DeCS applications, details of the 2025 update and a retrospective of the 2024 edition.

The 2025 edition of DeCS reaffirms BIREME’s commitment to keeping the thesaurus aligned with the evolution of scientific knowledge and the terminological demands of the region. More information is available on the annual update at the DeCS 2025 Edition.

Source: https://boletin.bireme.org/en/2025/04/30/decs-2025-edition-is-available/

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Health education with AI and access to information motivated event

From April 14 to 17, 2025, BIREME/PAHO/WHO participated in the 1st Symposium: The Panorama of Health Education in the Municipality of São Paulo, held by the Municipal Health Secretariat (SMS-SP), through the Municipal Health School (EMS). The event brought together workers, teachers, managers and authorities from the sector to debate the challenges and advances of health education in the context of the Unified Health System (SUS).

At the opening ceremony, the Municipal Secretary of Health, Luiz Carlos Zamarco, gave the keynote address, highlighting the importance of continuous technical training as a strategy for improving care for the population. Afterwards, the Director of BIREME/PAHO/WHO, João Paulo Souza, took part in the panel of authorities alongside representatives of partner institutions, contributing the Pan American Health Organization’s perspective on innovation and digital transformation in health education.

BIREME was also present in the symposium’s technical program with Artificial Intelligence applied to health information and teaching panel, held on Wednesday (16). Specialists Francisco Barbosa Junior, Elisabeth Biruel and Juliana Sousa addressed topics such as the application of AI in production and retrieval of scientific information, the development of innovative products in the context of the Virtual Health Library (VHL) and the ethical challenges related to the use of these technologies in education and research.

The program also included the thematic exhibition “VHL: a tool for Teaching and Education in Health”, highlighting the SMS São Paulo VHL, developed under the technical cooperation agreement established between BIREME and SMS-SP. The activity highlighted the ease of access and the advantages of using reliable sources of scientific and technical information to support the work of health professionals in the municipality.

Technical cooperation

São Paulo is the city with the largest population in the Americas, with around 12 million inhabitants, more than a thousand healthcare facilities – 480 of which are exclusively dedicated to primary care – and a workforce of more than 120,000 professionals in all areas. In this scenario, strengthening continuing education and access to health information is strategic for improving the care provided to the population.

Technical cooperation between BIREME/PAHO/WHO and the São Paulo Municipal Health Secretariat (SMS-SP) was formalized in 2010, with the main objective of developing the São Paulo SMS Virtual Health Library (SMS-SP VHL). Phase II of the partnership began in 2013, focused on strengthening, developing and providing technical support for the VHL. Phase III was formalized in May 2021, and is scheduled to last until May 2025, with the aim of maintaining, updating and adding new sources of information to the SMS-SP VHL.

Source: https://boletin.bireme.org/en/2025/04/30/health-education-with-ai-and-access-to-information-motivated-event/
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#bireme58years – Digital Transformation, AI and Access to Information

March 2025 marks the 58th anniversary of BIREME – the Latin American and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences Information of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) – one of the longest-lived and most strategic institutions in the Region of the Americas. Founded in 1967 as the Regional Library of Medicine, BIREME maintains its original mission of facilitating access to scientific and technical health information, while reinventing itself in the face of contemporary challenges posed by digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI) and the growing demand for quality knowledge to guide public health decisions.

Over more than five decades, BIREME has established itself as a reference center in health information and knowledge management, with a technical cooperation model based on the creation and development of Virtual Health Libraries (VHL) and other information products, which are structured in regional networks and aligned with the needs of health systems in Latin American and Caribbean countries. Linked to the PAHO/WHO Department of Evidence and Intelligence for Action in Health (EIH), the Center operates in close collaboration with national, regional and global institutions and networks.

Digital transformation and innovation guide the 2023-2025 Strategy

In recent years, BIREME has advanced in a process of institutional transformation that reflects the changes in the global ecosystem of scientific information. The BIREME 2023-2025 Strategy introduces three central pillars: strengthening decision-making capacity in health systems; expanding strategic partnerships and regional technical cooperation; and digital innovation using advanced technologies, especially artificial intelligence (AI).

Among the recent milestones, the VHL stands out as a key part of its technical cooperation program, launched in 1998 and currently bringing together 58 sources of information, more than 39 million records and an annual average of 41 million sessions on the Regional Portal. Recognized as Good Practice in South-South Cooperation by the United Nations at the age of 27, the VHL continues to be one of the main gateways to scientific health information in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The VHL’s main source of information, the Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS) database, which has been in operation for 40 years, also reflects BIREME’s 58-year history of promoting the science produced in the region. With more than 1.1 million scientific and technical documents from Latin America and the Caribbean, LILACS was expanded in 2024 with the launch of LILACS Plus — an integrated collection of around 2 million records from LILACS, MEDLINE and other sources. The initiative strengthens the visibility of regional scientific production and its inclusion in global health information flows.

AI initiatives and regional and global cooperation

The application of AI in information management processes was also highlighted in 2024 with the development of DeCS Finder AI, a tool that speeds up and improves the automatic indexing of documents with Health Sciences Descriptors (DeCS/MeSH), a system used by hundreds of institutions to organize health literature.

In the same context, BIREME expanded its activities in the production of Evidence Maps, a graphic resource that supports the systematization of scientific studies to support the formulation of public policies. In all, there are 72 evidence maps available, 17 of which were launched in 2024 alone, with a new platform under development for AI-based integration.

The cooperative dimension of BIREME’s work is manifested in the intense agenda of meetings with the VHL Network and its associated networks, which registered a 20% increase in participation in 2024, with 22 sessions held and more than 100 connections per meeting, bringing together countries from all over the region. At the global level, BIREME leads actions such as the Global Index Medicus (GIM), now with more than 2 million records; and the development of the Traditional Medicine Global Library (TMGL), scheduled for global launch at the Second WHO World Summit on Traditional Medicine in December 2025.

New products, digital health and institutional strengthening

With Brazil’s Ministry of Health and PAHO Brazil, BIREME has been collaborating on the development of digital solutions aimed at Primary and Specialized Health Care. One of the highlights is the new Formative Second Opinion (SOF) program, which answers frequently asked questions from health teams based on contextualized evidence for Brazil’s Unified Health System – SUS. Another example is the Decision Support Platform, aimed at the general population, which seeks to improve the care process and the autonomy of citizens.

In addition, BIREME provides technical support to the Interagency Health Information Network (RIPSA) with the development of APIs, plugins and improvements in indicator publication flows, strengthening the analytical capacity of the Brazilian health system.

Internally, the Centre is making progress in adopting agile methodologies, modernizing its computer infrastructure and qualifying its technical and management staff as a high-performance team. The promotion of an organizational culture geared towards innovation, together with the continuous strengthening of institutional partnerships and the diversification of its funding sources, are key strategies for guaranteeing institutional sustainability and expanding BIREME’s impact in the near future.

58 years in health knowledge

BIREME’s trajectory is marked by its strategic role as a bridge between science and health action, supporting managers, professionals, researchers, users, and citizens in building more informed, resilient, and evidence-based health systems. This mission, which has been continuously continually renewed over the years, remains highly relevant to current and future challenges in the Region.

“At 58 years of age, BIREME reaffirms its commitment to innovation, collaboration, and equitable access to scientific and technical health information. In an ever-changing world, this mission is even more important to promote the health and well-being of the people of the Americas. It is an honor and a privilege to lead the Center at this moment. I salute and thank the entire BIREME family — our staff, institutional partners, and users — for their commitment to this journey.”

João Paulo Souza, Director of BIREME/PAHO/WHO.

Fuente: https://boletin.bireme.org/en/2025/03/31/bireme58years-digital-transformation-ai-and-access-to-information/

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The Way Forward for the Virtual Health Library After 27 Years

In March 2025, the Virtual Health Library (VHL) celebrates its 27th anniversary as a consolidated strategic model for health information management in Latin America and the Caribbean (LA&C). To celebrate the date, BIREME is reaffirming its commitment to the VHL Network by modernizing and integrating national instances into the VHL Regional Portal, promoting more equitable and representative access to scientific and technical information produced in the region.

According to Verônica Abdala Information Products and Services manager at BIREME/PAHO/WHO, experts and managers recognized the need to reformulate and realign the model to the current digital and information context. For Abdala, the VHL is still a powerful and efficient model, but it needs to evolve to maintain its relevance and impact. “The VHL can and must contribute even more to the mission of expanding access to health information in the region. The integration of the national instances into the Regional Portal is an essential step in this process,” she pointed out.

New phase: integration of national instances

The main advance in the next cycle of development of the VHL will be the expansion of the Regional Portal of the VHL and the creation of spaces for the integration of national instances. With this innovation, all countries in the network will have visibility within the platform in an individualized but integrated way. “Our proposal is to build personalized spaces for each country, bringing together in a single environment all the scientific and technical output available in each country in the region,” announced Verônica.

In the current model, some countries operate national instances of the VHL with their own portals, which require local technical infrastructure and continuous updating activities. This dispersion has resulted in operational difficulties for maintenance. With the new approach, the VHL Regional Portal aims to consolidate itself as a single integrated and strengthened repository of the collections of information sources of the national instances, expanding bibliographic control and ensuring greater access and visibility to the scientific and technical output of the Region.

“We are promoting the creation of a large regional collection that includes the scientific and technical production of the countries, allowing each country to have its own space within the Regional Portal, customized to each context”, explained Veronica Abdala.

More inclusion and visibility for countries

The change will make it possible to include and broaden the representation of countries that face technical and operational challenges in implementing their national instances. In the new structure, countries that have significant scientific output, but do not currently have their own VHL portal, will now have a specific consolidated space within the Regional Portal to publicize their scientific output, promoting access, visibility and active participation in the construction of the Regional VHL.

For Joanita Barros, Senior Information Analyst at BIREME, “the integration of countries into the VHL Regional Portal will bring more sustainability to the VHL Network and promote a more equitable model, ensuring the visibility of each nation’s scientific output in a single, integrated and strengthened space. In addition, this new model will allow each country to concentrate its efforts on articulating its network, updating its collection and bibliographic control of its scientific output”.

Next steps

The implementation of the new model is at an early stage and is one of BIREME’s strategic priorities for 2025. A working group is being set up with representatives from different countries to discuss the development of the standards that will serve as the basis for the national pages. Moreover, the thematic instances of the VHL can also be connected to these virtual spaces, ensuring a more cohesive and organized structure.

“The world has changed and the VHL model needs to adapt to this new reality. The essence of networking, decentralized information management and cooperation between countries is still as relevant as ever,” highlighted Verônica Abdala.

With this reformulation, the VHL reinforces its commitment to the democratization of knowledge and the strengthening of the Network, promoting broader, more equitable and sustainable access to health information in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Source: https://boletin.bireme.org/en/2025/03/31/the-way-forward-for-the-virtual-health-library-after-27-years/

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VHL and LILACS: the 2025 calendar of technical meetings is available

Two webinars characterized the launch of the 2025 Calendar of Meetings of Health Information Networks in Latin America and the Caribbean. The events also took place in the context of celebrations for the 58th anniversary of BIREME and the 27th anniversary of the Virtual Health Library (VHL), reinforcing the importance of regional cooperation to expand equitable access to scientific and technical health information.

The launch events featured a presentation by BIREME’s Director, João Paulo Souza, on the “Perspectives of the Virtual Health Library for the year 2025”. João Paulo presented the development priorities for the year, emphasizing the importance of open access to scientific and technical information as a strategy for achieving equity in health. The Director also acknowledged the supporters of BIREME and the VHL Network, and the collaborative efforts of technical cooperation.

The first webinar, held on March 13, brought together 166 participants from 20 Latin American countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. The strategic objectives for 2025 were presented, highlighting the restructuring of the VHL instances, the digitization and automation of indexing processes, and the adoption of emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and blockchain, to guarantee the integrity and free access to knowledge.

The second webinar, held on March 20, was dedicated to the MedCarib Network and brought together 17 participants from countries such as Belize, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. The specific challenges and opportunities for the dissemination of health information in the Caribbean region were addressed, highlighting the need to expand the digital transformation in order to reach new levels of information use.

During his presentation, the director of BIREME, João Paulo Souza, highlighted the strategic importance of technical cooperation with the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean in strengthening health information networks. He emphasized that BIREME’s work is aligned with the principles of equity, solidarity and universal access to scientific and technical health information, which are fundamental pillars of PAHO/WHO. According to the director, investing in the dissemination of knowledge and building regional capacities is essential for the advancement of public health and for tackling challenges such as disinformation and unequal access to reliable information.

João Paulo Souza presented the main advances and innovations developed by BIREME over the last year, with an emphasis on modernizing the products and services offered by the Center. Among the highlights, he mentioned improvements to the VHL platform, such as integration with new search and content curation resources, as well as expanding the use of artificial intelligence to support the discovery and organization of scientific information. Innovations related to LILACS were also presented, including improved management of editorial and indexing processes, with more intuitive tools aligned with the needs of collaborating networks.

The director also shared perspectives on the importance of strengthening interoperability between information systems, to ensure that the data and knowledge produced by health institutions in the region is more accessible and useful to researchers, managers, health professionals and citizens. In this regard, he highlighted the relevance of the DeCS/MeSH controlled vocabulary as an essential bridge for organizing and exchanging data in multiple languages and contexts.

Finally, João Paulo Souza reinforced BIREME’s commitment to the continuous training of national teams and recognized the essential role of the VHL Network and the MedCarib Network as part of the VHL ecosystem in the Americas. He invited all members of the network to actively engage in the 2025 calendar of sessions, taking advantage of the spaces for mutual learning, exchange of experiences and institutional strengthening. “Knowledge is a powerful tool for social transformation. Our role at BIREME is to ensure that this knowledge is accessible to all, in an equitable, timely and quality manner,” stated the director.

At both meetings, the 2025 Calendar was presented by Veronica Abdala, BIREME’s Information Products and Services manager. The program includes a total of 26 meetings throughout the year, with sessions held on Thursdays and activities planned until December.

In 2025, the events are being held via the Zoom platform and can be published on PAHOTV’s YouTube channel, expanding the reach of the discussions and promoting greater access to the content for the entire health information community in the region.

Source: https://boletin.bireme.org/en/2025/03/31/vhl-and-lilacs-the-2025-calendar-of-technical-meetings-is-available/

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Health Economics Network in the ECOS VHL to informed decisions

The overhaul of the Health Economics VHL is the result of the seventh phase of the Project to Strengthen the ECOS VHL, aimed at disseminating scientific and technical information in the area in Brazil. The project is the result of a partnership between the Department of Health Economics and Development (DESID) of the Brazilian Ministry of Health and the Latin American and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences Information (BIREME), within the framework of technical cooperation between the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) and Brazil’s Ministry of Health.

Developed under BIREME’s coordination, the new portal fully integrates the ECOS Network, becoming a collaborative platform for the exchange of knowledge, experiences and innovation. “The aim is to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experiences between managers and specialists in Health Economics, promoting access to scientific and technical information and, at the same time, interaction between members of the Network,” stated Joanita de Barros, Senior Information Analyst at BIREME and Product Owner of the project.

The development of the portal was guided by a survey on the profile and needs of the ECOS Network, combined with an intense process of collaboration with the DESID team. The result is an environment that offers access to information about the Network, the Health Economics Centers, Thematic Groups, Discussion Forums and News, in addition to scientific and technical content, already traditionally made available by the ECOS VHL databases.

Among the main implementations of the new portal is the technology update, with the installation of the latest version of WordPress, which provides the platform with greater security and stability. There was also a complete restructuring of the Information Architecture, with better content organization and more intuitive navigation for users. The full integration of the ECOS Network has resulted in an interactive space that encourages collaboration and knowledge sharing through forums and thematic groups. Moreover, the portal has undergone a significant expansion of content, with the creation of sections dedicated to legislation, publications from the Health Economics Centers, Network reports, as well as podcasts, webcasts, and other multimedia resources.

For Joanita Barros, the redesign reflects an ongoing effort to improve access to information and foster the exchange of knowledge between and within the Network. “With this update, we hope that the new portal will consolidates itself as a reference space for the area of Health Economics, strengthening the ECOS Network, allowing greater interaction between specialists and managers in the area and facilitating access to quality information,” highlighted Joanita.

According to Jamyle Grigoletto, coordinator of the Coordination of Structuring Actions in Health Economics at DESID, the portal overhaul should bring together and facilitate discussions between the Health Economics Centers (NES, in its Portuguese acronym) implemented in the Health Secretariats of the States and Municipalities – and also between them and the representatives of academia, councils and associations in the area of Health Economics that make up the ECOS Network.

“The idea is that, based on these interactions, NES will indicate to the Network’s researchers what the demands are for cutting-edge economic studies, so that these demands can support conducting research. These, in turn, can be used to support decision-making by SUS managers. As a result, we will also see an expansion of the scientific output in health economics reflected in the ECOS VHL”, concluded Grigoletto.

Information sources and thematic areas

The ECOS VHL brings together a wide range of specialized information sources, offering access to databases and strategic repositories to support research and analysis in the area of health economics. Among the resources available are the ECOS Database, the Health Price Bank, the National Cost Management Program and the public consultations of the National Commission for the Incorporation of Technologies into the Unified Health System – SUS (CONITEC).

Resources from the Brazilian Network for Health Technology Assessment, the Regional Database of Health Technology Assessment Reports from the Americas (BRISA) and the Public Health Budget Information System are also integrated.

All the content is organized by thematic areas, ranging from general aspects of health economics to specific topics such as economic evaluation in health, financing and spending in the sector, management of health services, and equity and inequalities in health, among others. This structure facilitates navigation and search, allowing managers and researchers to find qualified information on which to base public policies and strategic decisions.

Health Economics and Development Network

On January 30, 2025, the Tripartite Interagency Commission agreed to formalize the Health Economics and Development Network (ECOS Network), an important milestone for strengthening the management of SUS. The initiative aims to improve governance and strengthen coordination between managers, specialists and researchers, promoting greater efficiency, transparency and a technical basis for decision making related to the allocation of resources in the public sector.

In this context, the new portal consolidates itself as a strategic hub for sharing knowledge and access to qualified information, contributing to evidence-based public policies.

Next steps

The project includes the development of two new Knowledge Showcases, which will highlight strategic information for managers and researchers in the field. Also planned is the creation of an Evidence Map, a method for systematizing evidence and graphically representing interventions and outcomes in the specific area of the map, as well as identifying evidence gaps.

Access the new Portal and find out what’s new in the Health Economics VHL | National Portal on Health Economics Information.

Source: https://boletin.bireme.org/en/2025/03/31/health-economics-network-in-the-ecos-vhl-to-informed-decisions/

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Advances and innovations outline BIREME in 2024

BIREME achieved results with progress aligned with Strategy 2023-2025 and contextualized in its Biannual Work Plan for 2024-2025 (BWP 24-25) aligned with the priorities and strategic objectives of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO). The main milestones for the period include new projects, information products and services, events and management and operational activities for institutional strengthening.

Here are some of the milestones of the period, organized into categories that reflect BIREME’s main lines of action as a PAHO/WHO Specialized Center.

Advances in BIREME’s Strategy 2023-2025

Throughout 2024, BIREME consolidated innovative management and strategic execution practices. In March, agile management and operational methodologies, such as the Scrum approach, began to be implemented to increase efficiency and collaboration in the Center’s digital transformation projects. Simultaneosly, tools were incorporated for the application of artificial intelligence, such as ChatGPT Plus, for example, which has boosted development processes for new technologies and the customization of some of the services already available.

The adoption of advanced technologies, such as Large Language Models, was also highlighted as a priority strategy to improve user experience and the personalization of products and services. Priority projects and the direction of BIREME’s digital transformation were discussed during the visit of the director of the Department of Evidence and Intelligence for Action in Health (EIH), Sebastián García Saisó, in September, when he took part in meetings of the Governance Committees and with the technical teams.

New projects

Traditional Medicine Global Library (TMGL)

BIREME has played a central role in the development of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Traditional Medicine Global Library (TMGL). Since being commissioned to coordinate the project in March 2024, in just six months the Center has reached a significant milestone: in November, the first functional version of the platform was launched, which already brings together more than 1.7 million records. This result consolidates TMGL as a strategic reference for researchers, health professionals and policymakers working with traditional medicines on a global scale.

The development of the project was structured on the basis of the experience and the Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicines of the Americas Virtual Health Library (TCIM VHL), a key reference for the creation of the Global Library, highlighting the relevance of the TCIM VHL in advancing global initiatives in the field of traditional health practices.

Second Opinion Formative (SOF) or New SOF

Developed with the Brazilian Ministry of Health’s Digital Health and Information Secretariat (SEIDIGI), the Second Formative Opinion (SOF) program is being updated to automate processes, modernize content formats and expand its applicability to different areas of health care. The innovations include the integration of artificial intelligence technologies to automate the generation of technical responses, making it possible to meet the demands of health workers in a more agile and efficient manner.

The new content format will also incorporate detailed information on the quality of the scientific evidence used, promoting reliability and transparency in clinical decision support. Moreover, SOF enhancement is also being designed to expand the scope of information, meeting the specific demands of specialized lines of care, such as the areas of mental health, chronic non-communicable diseases and other priorities of Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS). This evolution not only qualifies the services provided, but also strengthens decision-making based on scientific evidence, promoting a direct impact on the quality of health care.

Decision Aids

The Decision Aids project, also developed in partnership with SEIDIGI of the Brazilian Ministry of Health, aims to offer direct informational support to the lay population, strengthening their ability to use scientific evidence in health decision-making. The initiative foresees the integration of these tools into the “Meu SUS Digital” application, serving as a channel for accessing reliable and personalized health information.

The Decision Aids are structured to provide clear, evidence-based information on health topics, allowing users to make informed choices about preventive care, treatment and promoting well-being. This innovative project is a pioneer in Brazil and is due to be launched in 2025.

Launches and innovations

Significant progress has been made in its projects, reflecting its commitment to innovation and the strengthening of health information networks, promoting easy access to scientific and technical knowledge produced in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Updated VHL Regional Portal

In April, the Regional Portal of the Virtual Health Library (VHL) was renewed with a modernized interface, improving navigation and user experience when accessing more than 37 million bibliographic records from 60 national, thematic, and international databases, as well as directories, repositories, and other sources of health information.

Strengthening the MedCarib Network

In the second half of 2024, in coordination with the MedCarib Network, a series of technical sessions were conducted by BIREME for the English-speaking Caribbean countries, including Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. With the participation of more than 80 professionals, the sessions covered topics such as document indexing, good editorial practices and networking strategies, with the aim of strengthening access to health information and improving scientific publishing practices in the region.

Availability of DeCS Finder AI

In December, BIREME made available DeCS Finder AI, an improved version with the features of artificial intelligence, which optimizes the indexing of scientific texts and updates the tool previously launched in 2021. Using natural language processing, the system identifies suitable DeCS descriptors, speeding up cataloging and facilitating the identification of relevant terms.

Governance and cooperation

In August 2024, BIREME held two governance meetings governing the Center: the 10th Session of the Scientific Committee, on August 27, and the 13th Session of the Advisory Committee, on August 29. The meetings addressed the progress of the BIREME Strategy 2023-2025, highlighting technological advances and regional priorities for health information. Subsequently, during the 61st PAHO Directing Council (CD61), held from September 30 to October 4, 2024, new members were elected to the Advisory Committee for the 2025-2027 period, representing Colombia, Honduras and Jamaica, and reinforcing BIREME’s technical cooperation for the countries of the Latin American and Caribbean Region.

At CD61, BIREME had an interactive stand promoting products and services designed to strengthen the health systems of the countries in the region. It also demonstrated the scope of its technical cooperation and the impact of the technological innovations implemented by the Center.

Prospects for 2025

After a year marked by strategic advances and innovations, BIREME is ready to face the challenges and opportunities of 2025. With a focus on the digital transformation of health information, the Center will continue to enhance the impact of science in the Region of the Americas, expanding access to scientific knowledge and strengthening technical cooperation networks. These efforts aim to meet current demands and also anticipate solutions to future public health challenges with a focus on access to evidence-based, quality information.

To follow BIREME’s next initiatives and advances, subscribe to the BIREME Bulletin and keep up to date with events, projects and launches that connect science and health throughout the Region.

Source: https://boletin.bireme.org/en/2025/01/23/advances-and-innovations-outline-bireme-in-2024/