Challenges

Challenge addressed: the absence of an efficient mechanism for generating and documenting national Health Intelligence (HI), effectively hindering country-to-country exchanges on HI. 

Many countries in the region face similar challenges with their health systems as Uruguay and require practical solutions in an efficient and timely manner, according to identified needs. 

This exacerbates a tendency to work in isolation, and with limited impact, due to a lack of documented good practices, usable in exchanges between countries. 

As a means to overcome these challenges – and to contribute towards SDGs 3 and 17 – NISU was established as a mechanism to organize and systematize good practices, facilitate knowledge exchange, and respond to regional health cooperation demands in a timely and coordinated manner. Through its focus on South-South and Triangular Cooperation, NISU 

helps countries benefit from each other’s experiences, reducing duplication and fostering peer-to-peer support on the countries´ own terms. 

Toward a Solution

NISU aims to support countries in the region by organizing, sharing, and transferring useful health knowledge, tools, and experiences. Its goal is to respond to common challenges by improving technical cooperation in health and promoting informed decision-making. This initiative contributes directly to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG3 and SDG17. 

Contributions to SDG3 and 17, and targets: 

SDG3 and targets: by improving healthcare access, encouraging healthy lifestyles, supporting disease prevention, and strengthening health systems. Through the systematization of tacit organizational knowledge and a rigorous accreditation process, Best Practices have been documented, disseminated, and recognized across the country. Showcased during the National.

PHC Forum, these practices have drawn interest from several countries seeking to replicate them. They promote inclusive, equitable, and community-based care, addressing target 3.3 through person-centered tuberculosis care and universal HIV testing; Target 3.7 via sexual diversity policies and women´s health initiatives, and Target 3.8 through mobile services, rural health fairs, and inclusive care models. Collectively, these efforts advance health equity, improve access, and strengthen prevention and care systems. 

SDG17 and targets 8 and G: by fostering strategic partnerships across institutions, sectors, and countries and through its support for South-South cooperation, knowledge exchange, and joint technical efforts, NISU strengthens collaboration and promotes shared learning to advance health goals across the region. In the framework of NISU, the multicentric collaborative network for research in health policies and systems promotes and facilitates an academic space to establish alliances among organizations and institutions within the ecosystem, supporting access to knowledge and advancing research efforts. 

NISU has also supported the creation of a regional, collaborative research network on health systems and policies. This network aims to connect institutions and researchers from various countries to work together on case studies that explore relevant topics such as how health services are organized, financed, and adapted to population needs. These shared research efforts not only strengthen technical capacity but also build trust and long-term cooperation among countries in the region. 

Since its launch, NISU has facilitated technical cooperation between Uruguay and countries such as: Bolivia, Brazil, Dominica, El Salvador, Honduras, and Jamaica, many of which have led to concrete actions, such as adapting digital tools, revising training approaches for health workers, or developing new evaluation criteria for services. These exchanges are practical, focused, and based on shared interests. The model encourages dialogue, peer learning, and collaborative problem-solving, making it a useful resource for countries that face similar challenges. 

What makes NISU innovative is its practical approach to organizing and sharing health knowledge in a way that is accessible and usable. Beyond collecting and systematizing information — it helps countries put it into context, decide what might work for them, and connect with peers who have already tried it. It also supports technical teams in making the most of existing resources in-country, making cooperation more efficient and meaningful. 

From a sustainability perspective, NISU is anchored in preexisting institutional structures, ensuring alignment with national partners. It operates within a strategic political framework that allows it to respond effectively to the specific needs of countries requesting South-South technical cooperation. Through a structured and participatory process, it promotes South-South cooperation and enables the dissemination of best practices both nationally and regionally. This foundation strengthens institutional learning and health system capacity. 

Looking ahead, NISU’s work is expected to contribute to more informed health policies and to more efficient, demand-driven South-South cooperation, achieving better results tailored to countries´ needs and advancing shared health priorities across the region. 

Furthermore, by focusing on specific practical challenges and fostering peer-to-peer collaboration, NISU has proven that structured, theme-specific South-South and Triangular Cooperation—rooted in shared challenges and mutual learning—can drive meaningful improvements in health systems, support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, and promote stronger regional integration across Latin America and beyond 

Lessons learned from NISU highlight the value of building simple and flexible systems for cooperation, actively listening to the needs of partners, and maintaining ongoing spaces for dialogue and learning. Another lesson learned is that such a mechanism, due to its interinstitutional set-up requires the political willingness to allocate certain human resources and to provide it with autonomy of action and decision to truly unleash its full potential.