El Salvador

The Institutional Strategic Plan (PEI) 2021-2025 of El Salvador outlines a roadmap for strengthening the National Integrated Health System (SNIS) to improve healthcare quality, governance, and financial sustainability. It aligns with Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, the National Digital Agenda, and national health laws, focusing on reducing maternal and child mortality, addressing non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and enhancing emergency response​. The plan prioritizes expanding primary healthcare services, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and digital transformation to improve efficiency. Key achievements include progress in reducing maternal mortality and controlling infectious diseases like tuberculosis and HIV, alongside expanded vaccination coverage. However, high out-of-pocket expenses, fragmented service delivery, and inequitable healthcare access remain persistent challenges, particularly in rural areas​. Efforts to integrate public and private healthcare services, enhance infrastructure, and ensure adequate human resources are crucial for achieving universal health coverage (UHC). The strategy also emphasizes improving governance and financial sustainability, with a target of allocating 35% of the Ministry of Health’s current budget to primary care by 2025​. To ensure successful implementation, the PEI relies on monitoring frameworks, digital health solutions, and intersectoral collaboration. While El Salvador has made significant progress, achieving the plan’s goals will require sustained political commitment, increased investment in healthcare, and strengthened institutional capacity to build a resilient, equitable, and efficient healthcare system​.