CAF and PATH sign strategic alliance to strengthen health systems in Latin America
Partnership aims to advance health equity and digital transformation, with focus on maternal-child health, disease elimination, and emergency preparedness.
PATH and CAF launch partnership to advance universal health coverage in Latin America. Pictured L to R: Ignacio Corlazzoli, CAF; Christian Asinelli, CAF; Nikolaj Gilbert, PATH; Kammerle Schneider, PATH. Photo: Marley Gibbons/PATH.
New York, September 23, 2025. CAF, the development bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, and PATH, an international nonprofit organization dedicated to health innovation, signed a Memorandum of Understanding during the 80th United Nations General Assembly to strengthen health systems across CAF's shareholder countries and advance universal health coverage.
The strategic partnership creates a collaboration framework across six priority areas: building health system capacity and resilience; advancing digital health and technological innovation; eliminating communicable and non-communicable diseases; improving maternal and child health and nutrition; strengthening preparedness and response to emerging health threats; and promoting human-centered innovation.
Key priority initiatives identified by both organizations include working with governments to improve the quality of healthcare through innovation, transform, mental health, and optimize strategies for disease elimination.
To launch the partnership, both organizations will jointly produce a publication titled "The Economics of Telehealth: Economic Benefits and Return on Investment," offering comprehensive macro and microeconomic analysis of these technologies' impact across the region.
"This partnership with PATH marks a pivotal moment in accelerating health system transformation throughout our region," said Sergio Díaz-Granados, Executive President of CAF. "By combining our deep understanding of the Latin American context with PATH's proven expertise in health innovation, we can create more effective, locally-adapted solutions for our shareholder countries, particularly in digital health and maternal-child care."
“Strong health systems cannot be built by any single organization alone. But when we come together, we can create modern, efficient systems to deliver quality care to those who need it most,” says Nikolaj Gilbert, CEO and President of PATH. “PATH is proud to partner with CAF to advance innovations in digital health, artificial intelligence, and beyond in Latin America and the Caribbean.”
The five-year Memorandum may be renewed by mutual agreement. Implementation will occur through various modalities including joint research projects, strategic information exchange, government technical assistance, public health policy collaboration, and knowledge dissemination via joint publications and events.
This partnership reflects both organizations' commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3 on "Good Health and Well-being," creating opportunities to accelerate progress toward more equitable, resilient, and inclusive health systems throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
About CAF
CAF is a development bank committed to supporting the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean and improving the quality of life in the region. Our actions promote sustainable development and regional integration. We serve the public and private sectors, providing multiple products and services to a broad client base of 25 member countries, private companies, and financial institutions.
About PATH
PATH is a global nonprofit dedicated to achieving health equity. With more than 40 years of experience forging multisector partnerships, and with expertise in science, economics, technology, advocacy, and dozens of other specialties, PATH develops and scales up innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing health challenges.