This Monday (6), the federal government will launch a program aimed at reducing the queues of SUS (Sistema Único de Saúde) for elective surgeries, additional examinations and specialized consultations. The Ministry of Health said that an initial amount of 600 million reais will be allocated to the program, which will be transferred to the states and municipalities.

A program to reduce queues at SUS will be launched on Monday – Photo: Tony Winston/Agência Saúde/ND

The launch of the National Queue Reduction Program takes place in Rio de Janeiro starting at 15:00. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Health Minister Nicia Trindade are expected to take part in the action. The resources to be applied in the program were provided for in the Transitional PEC (Proposed Constitutional Amendment).

The program aims to “provide technical and financial support to states and municipalities to address the chronic problem of waiting lists for elective surgeries, examinations, and specialized care consultations.”

According to the Ministry of Health, the queues have grown due to the aging of the population. In addition, the folder adds that the rise in chronic non-communicable diseases and the consequences of Covid-19 are also other factors confirming the increase in demand in the public health system.

Queue Reduction Program: Resources and Criteria

The program will have two extensions: one emergency to increase the offer of treatments immediately; and another structuring, to improve queue management and primary care qualifications, which the Ministry believes should reduce the need for specialized care. In doing so, the portfolio estimates that more physicians will be available in primary care teams in addition to increased investment in training and greater use of technology such as telemedicine.

According to the ministry, the first phase of the program will last until June 2023. Of the BRL 600 million planned for the year, BRL 200 million will go “immediately” to support the implementation of local plans that encourage joint efforts across the country to “unload pent-up demand.” The remaining BRL 400 million will be transferred depending on the number of surgeries performed, mainly abdominal, orthopedic and ophthalmic.

“This action proposes strategies to secure full surgical teams and improve the flow of medical care throughout Brazil. Each state will be able to prioritize operations based on local realities,” the ministry said. The second stage, from April to June, includes diagnostic tests and specialized consultations dedicated to the treatment of oncological diseases.

Criteria and details of the transfer of values ​​to municipalities and states will be published in a regulation announced by the Department of Health in a note.

“Each subject of the federation will have to provide a diagnosis with a real local need for operations, as well as an implementation plan for the reduction of queues program so that the release of resources is provided. States and municipalities should report the number of procedures performed and measure the reduction,” the note says.