The new PAC expects to create 1,800 new UBS hospitals and 36 maternity hospitals

The Federal Government announced on Thursday (7) the projects that will be covered by the R$23 billion expected in the new Growth Acceleration Program (PAC) in the areas of health, education, sports and culture. In health, plans include the construction of 1,800 new basic health units (UBS), 36 maternity wards and 50 regional clinics, as well as new ambulances for the Mobile Emergency Care Service (Samu).

It is also planned to build 30 new natural birth centres, 150 psychosocial care centers (CAPS) and 20 specialized rehabilitation centres, in addition to the acquisition of 400 new mobile dental units and 14 SAMO centres. During the launch of the new PAC, in Brasilia, Health Minister Nicia Trindade highlighted the need for a “strengthened health system,” referring to the unified health system.

“In the case of PAC Saúde, which is a great achievement and also a great challenge, we will work to enhance care for our residents. This is the main guiding principle,” he said. “Government is caring. “We need to take good care of Brazil and strengthen the integrated sector,” he added, noting that there is great support from states and municipalities in sending proposals for this sector.

Find out the key details of the new PAC in Health Projects:

Basic health units

To increase the supply of primary health care services in areas indicated by the Ministry itself as having gaps in care, the new political action committee expects to establish 1,800 basic health units in 1,514 municipalities with greater social and economic vulnerability. This investment expands the coverage of the Family Health Strategy, benefiting 8.6 million people with increased access to medical consultations, examinations, X-rays and other procedures.

Maternity hospitals

The new PAC is expanding the provision of ambulatory and emergency obstetrics and gynecology care 24 hours a day across the country by creating 36 new maternity suites. The equipment is located primarily in major health areas with high maternal mortality rates. Maternity hospitals include, in their infrastructure, natural birth centres, promoting strategies of humanization of services and assistance in labour, delivery, post-natal period and neonatal care.

Comprehensive clinics

It is planned to build 55 new regional clinics that will benefit 19.2 million people. This structure expands care coverage with doctors from different specialties, identified based on the epidemiological profile of the population in areas with gaps in care. There will also be imaging and imaging tests for diagnostic purposes and minor procedures.

Natural birth centers

The new PAC will build 30 natural birth centers, and expand the provision of assisted labor, postpartum and neonatal care services, as a strategy to reduce maternal mortality rates. Brazilian macro-health regions with the highest rates of vulnerability were prioritized. Natural birth centers are located near the indicated maternity hospitals in the total area.

New ambulances

The ambulance fleet of existing Samu 192 services will be expanded with 350 new vehicles in 224 municipalities in 14 states, improving urgent and emergency pre-hospital care. According to the Ministry of Health, the new ambulances expand SAMU's coverage by more than 6.6 million Brazilians, with coverage increasing from 87.3% to 90.4% of the population.

SAMO organizing centers

The new PAC provides 14 Samu 192 organizing centers in areas with healthcare gaps in ambulatory emergency care service. The areas covered by the new units will receive 187 ambulances to improve their work. Federal units with new organizational centers now have SAMU coverage from 78.6% to 90.4%, with a focus on universalization of service in Rio de Janeiro, Para, Amapa, Paraná and Mato Grosso.

Psychological and social care centres

It is also planned to build 150 new Care Psychosocial Centers (CAPS), which provide mental health care services, in areas with care gaps and low coverage. The units serve people of all ages with serious and persistent mental disorders. The government's priority will be to provide 24-hour service.

Specialized rehabilitation centers

The new PAC will build 20 specialized rehabilitation centers (CER). The increase in the provision of treatment, rehabilitation, habilitation, concession, adaptation and maintenance of assistive technology allows 77 health districts to obtain full coverage of services for persons with disabilities and 171 districts to expand their coverage. The centers will be distributed among 20 municipalities that have the largest gap in care for this type of service.

Bone workshops

PAC will build twenty new orthopedic workshops in 20 municipalities to expand the manufacturing, adaptation and maintenance services of orthotics, prosthetics and non-surgical mobility aids, in municipalities with an absolute shortage of orthopedic workshops. Of the twenty selected proposals, three are in states where the first units of SUS will be implemented: Roraima, Amapa, and Sergipe. Ultimately, 79 health districts will now receive services – representing a 4% increase in coverage in the country.

Mobile dental units

Finally, the new PAC is expanding oral health services through the acquisition of 400 mobile dental units for 395 municipalities and the Federal District. The vehicles are equipped to provide dental care, primarily in remote or hard-to-reach areas. The increase in supply, according to the Ministry of Health, exceeds 48% of the total units delivered in previous years.