In El Salvador, innovation is helping close the health gap for people living with chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in remote communities. A joint United Nations initiative, backed by the Joint SDG Fund, has shown how digital tools can bring quality health services closer to those who need them most.
Breaking Barriers in Access to Care
The joint programme “Improving Access to Quality Services for NCDs through Digital Innovation” was launched to support communities with limited medical services—particularly those affected by diabetes, hypertension, cervical cancer, kidney disease, and other chronic conditions. By integrating digital solutions, national institutions were equipped to improve detection, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up, ensuring that more people receive timely and effective care. Families and communities across El Salvador have directly benefited from these strengthened services.
Tangible Results for Communities
Among the programme’s most notable outcomes were the evaluations of user satisfaction with the national Health Information System and the recommendations issued to update the country’s digital health regulatory framework. The initiative also mapped existing technological solutions and produced educational materials on NCDs and their risk factors. At the same time, it strengthened teleconsultation and patient monitoring systems, introduced a new Digital Family Health Record, and trained health personnel in its application. To better inform decision-making, a mechanism for visualizing key health indicators was also created through smart dashboards.
Beyond technology, the programme placed people at the center. It promoted the training of community leaders, empowered women, and encouraged the use of digital platforms to improve access to health services. These actions helped strengthen local capacities and advanced the collective goal of ensuring that no one is left behind.
Strong Partnerships Driving Change
This effort was led by the Ministry of Health of El Salvador and implemented by four UN agencies: the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), UNFPA, UNICEF, and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). It was supported by the European Union and financed through the Joint SDG Fund. At the results presentation, the UN Resident Coordinator reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to accompany El Salvador in building a health system that closes access gaps for the most vulnerable.
Advancing the SDGs
By combining digital innovation, strong partnerships, and community empowerment, this programme contributes directly to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. It offers a powerful example of how technology can transform lives and strengthen health systems for the future.
Originally published by UN in El Salvador.
Note:
All joint programmes of the Joint SDG Fund are led by UN Resident Coordinators and implemented by the agencies, funds and programmes of the United Nations development system. With sincere appreciation for the contributions from the European Union and Governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and our private sector funding partners, for a transformative movement towards achieving the SDGs by 2030.
