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With undefined criteria, the Lula government launches a package of R$ 600 million for surgeries in the SUS

Simultaneously with the inauguration of a municipal health center in Rio de Janeiro, the Lula government launched a package of R$ 600 million destined to perform surgeries in the Brazilian public health system (SUS).

The idea is to reduce the long queues that intensified during the coronavirus pandemic, with the suspension of elective procedures. The scope of the program specifically encompasses surgeries considered non-emergency, a group that includes everything from surgeries to cure ingrown nails to the removal of cancerous tumors.

Initially, it will be up to the health departments of cities and states to present plans to reduce queues and amounts to be invested. A third of the money is already available for release. The criteria, however, have not yet been disclosed. The government alleges that an ordinance will be published bringing the details.

questioned by CNN regarding the role of the federal government in the package, the Minister of Health, Nísia Trindade, said that the action goes beyond directing the budget.

“I think handing out money would greatly reduce our role. This plan is approved by the Ministry of Health based on state and municipal realities. Our role is guiding, organizing. And this was agreed with the tripartite SUS, which is the federal government, through the Ministry, the representation of the National Council of State and Municipal Health Secretaries”, she said.

The government’s idea is to start receiving local plans this week and start offering part of the money as early as February. They claim that the project still needs to remodel the current SUS queue management system, which is decentralized and varies greatly according to the region of the country.

“It’s not just a distribution of resources. It is to advise them to have a plan for this purpose”, added the minister in a press conference after the event.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT), the governor of Rio de Janeiro, Cláudio Castro (PL), and the mayor of Rio de Janeiro Eduardo Paes (PSD) were present.

The event started with a delay of about an hour and many people gathered in queues outside to try to get closer to the place where President Lula would speak. Some couldn’t and gave up on staying in the limited space.

Source: CNN Brasil

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