More Doctors: 60 professionals arrive in Sergipe
Sixty Brazilian doctors participating in the Mais Médicos and Provab programs were welcomed yesterday by the State Health Secretariat; with the arrival of these professionals in 27 municipalities, Sergipe now has 205 doctors working in these programs in 52 of its 75 municipalities; "These doctors are qualified, trained professionals who passed one of the most competitive entrance exams. But what will they do in the lives of the people in the communities where they will work? The mission will not only be to prescribe medicine, but to transform the lives of these people. Undoubtedly, they will improve habits, thoughts, discuss interpersonal relationships, among other things," said the Secretary of Health, José Sobral.
ASN - Sixty Brazilian doctors participating in the Mais Médicos and Programa de Valorização do Profissional da Atenção Básica (Provab) programs were welcomed by the State Health Secretariat (SES) in the auditorium of the State Health Foundation (Funesa) this Tuesday, the 07th. Representatives from the Ministries of Health (MS), Education (MEC), and the Federal University of Sergipe (UFS) were present at the welcoming event.
With the arrival of these professionals in 27 municipalities, Sergipe now has 205 doctors working in these programs in 52 of its 75 municipalities. Data from the Ministry of Health shows that, in Brazil, there are already 14.462 doctors in 3.785 municipalities to serve 50 million Brazilians.
The orientation is the moment when these professionals learn about the structure of the Sergipe Health Care Network, where they are located, and how the various services offered by the Unified Health System (SUS) function, such as Psychosocial Care Centers (CAPs), hospitals, maternity wards, among others. The doctors also learn about Primary Care programs and the supervision processes at the Federal University of Sergipe (UFS).
According to Governor Jackson Barreto, the Program is part of a broad agreement to improve services for users of the Unified Health System, which includes more investment in the infrastructure of hospitals and health units, as well as bringing more doctors to regions where there is a shortage and absence of professionals.
“No issue is questioned more by the people than healthcare. When a president of the Republic is concerned with bringing more doctors to the interior of the country, that president demonstrates her commitment to the poorest and most needy population. We welcome the doctors with joy because we know that in this way we will help our population,” declares Jackson.
According to the Secretary of State for Health, José Sobral, the doctors' work in the municipalities will not only meet a health need of the population, but will also create a new political and social awareness in the communities where they will work.
According to Rosana Apolônio, representative of the Ministry of Health, the presence of the doctors fulfills a health need of the population and improves the SUS (Brazilian Public Health System). "This is a very rich moment that brings the consolidation and response to what the Mais Médicos and Provab Programs represent," said the technician.
“We are beginning a new period in improving healthcare and a new cycle for the Mais Médicos and Provab programs to contribute to Sergipe,” said João Martins, representative of the Ministry of Education.
According to Cátia Justos, coordinator of the Provab program in Sergipe, "many of these professionals have likely already worked in a hospital or emergency care unit and understand the importance of strengthening primary care in municipalities."
“Many of these professionals were my students at the university. I have no doubt that they will bring a humanistic approach to care to the population. The university doesn't provide the specificities of the various regions where they will work. They will bring a critical and technical perspective on care to change the reality of the places they will visit,” highlighted Mário Adriano, representative of UFS.
Physical structure and equipment
To ensure an adequate structure for the professionals' work, the State Government has already delivered 87 Family Health Clinics (CSF) with standardized ambience and equipment. Of these, 22 have Stabilization Rooms for 24-hour care of critically ill patients. In addition, the Ministry of Health, through the Requalifica Program, is financing the construction of 162 Basic Health Units (UBS), the renovation of 84, and the expansion of 118 in 69 municipalities.
“The investment made by the State Government and the Ministry of Health represents an improvement in the infrastructure of 70% of the 635 Basic Health Units,” said João Lima Júnior, Director of Comprehensive Health Care at SES.
Provab and Mais Médicos
The Mais Médicos (More Doctors) and Provab (Primary Care Professional Enhancement) programs are both focused on primary care and aim to bring medical professionals to locations that lack them. The remuneration is the same (R$10) in both programs. However, Provab allows participation for only one year and grants a 10% bonus on medical residency exams, which does not apply to participants in Mais Médicos.