This Thursday in the municipality of Rio Neginho, on the northern plateau of Santa Catarina, an unusual situation arose (31). The mayor’s office issued a “state of public danger and urgency” ordinance and announced an intervention on the municipality’s hospital fund.

The decision to intervene in the Hospital Fund was made this Thursday (31) – Photo: Google Maps/Reproduction

Having made this decision, the mayor’s office took over the management of the hospital, requisitioning the property where the hospital is located, equipment and furniture, medicines and supplies, as well as specialists who work in the department.

According to the municipality, this measure is “extremely important for the local community.” In a social media post, the mayor’s office said the intervention aims to “direct efforts towards the immediate and indefinite reopening of intensive care beds (intensive care units).

“This measure reflects the priority of providing sufficient quality medical care to the population, especially in an environment where hospital capacity has become a valuable resource. Through this intervention, the mayor’s office is taking an active role in the management of the hospital, working in collaboration with the medical teams to ensure that ICU beds are operationally available,” the mayor’s office explained in the publication.

In Decree No. 15,419/2023 published in the Official Gazette of the Municipality of Santa Catarina, the City of Rio Negrinho presents a number of reasons for the decision to interfere with the management of the Hospital Fund.

Among the arguments presented is the assertion that the municipality donates to the Foundation a larger amount than the amounts sent by other municipalities to the respective hospital departments and that the Río Negrinho hospital has no shortage of resources. The full document can be found at this link.

Extract from the decree issued by the city of Rio Negrinho announcing the intervention – Photo: Rio Negrinho City Hall/Reproduction/ND

The ND+ portal contacted the institution responsible for managing the division and requested an official position on the decision of the city government, but has not yet received a response.

The hospital fund went on strike in intensive care units and maternity hospital

At the end of July, the Hospital Foundation announced that it could paralyze the activities of the intensive care unit and the maternity ward. At the time, the hospital claimed a monthly deficit of R$400,000.

Also, according to the fund, several letters were sent to the city hall with a request to fill the deficit, but there was no response from the executive branch.

What’s happening

The intervention set by the municipality can last up to 180 days with the possibility of extension. During this period, the administration of the unit will be overseen by Rafael Schroeder, who will have the authority of the president of the institution.

In addition to carrying out administrative activities, according to the decree, the person carrying out the intervention must take an inventory of all the property of the hospital and, within 45 days, issue a diagnosis of the financial situation of the Foundation, which must be delivered to the mayor, the House of Councilors and the public ministry.

The order also directs the person intervening to take the measures “necessary to restore the full functioning of the hospital,” including emergency rooms, a maternity ward, and an intensive care unit.