Quality and health sector reform in Latin America and the Caribbean

Improving the quality of basic health services together with the search for equity efficiency sustainability and social participation has been one of the guiding principles of health sector reform initiatives ever since the I Summit of the Americas was held in 1994. This article addresses some basic concepts examines the status of quality control within health systems and services in Latin America and the Caribbean and analyzes the most important trends observed in the Region in the establishment of quality assurance programs. Finally ways of improving and monitoring quality continuously and sustainably are recommended. (authors)