The Single Health System of Brazil —the SUS— established the foundations for a better healthcare system in the country, improving social wellbeing, states the book “20 Years of the Construction of the SUS in Brazil”, recently published by the World Bank.
The study analyzes the history of the program, noting the advances generated by the SUS and stating that, based on that experience, in spite of the difficulties experienced by the developing country, today Brazil is a world leader in public health and an example to other countries seeking to create more egalitarian healthcare systems.
The foundation of the SUS meant that Brazil was one of the few countries outside of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to legislate on universal access to healthcare services, as it recognizes access to healthcare as a right of citizens and a duty of the State.
The book places an emphasis on the effort necessary to expand investment and improve the allocation of resources between federal and state bodies.
Among the challenges for the SUS, the study stated that healthcare resources needed to be allocated equitably and that the system’s administrative capacity continues to be a major obstacle. In addition, it states that it is essential to make progress in improving the quality of care, the coordination of healthcare and the expansion of the coverage of primary care centers.
Source: ONU BRASIL
