Revised More Doctors program opens applications

The Health Ministry announced Thursday (Jan. 15) that the More Doctors Program will be expanded to incorporate the Development Program for Professionals in Primary Healthcare (PROVAB), which focuses on Brazilian doctors only. Launched in June 2013, More Doctors was criticized by medical authorities in Brazil for allowing overseas-trained physicians to be hired to work in Brazil without requiring them to revalidate their diplomas through exams under the official Revalida program.

Like the More Doctors program, PROVAB is a government incentive to attract physicians – especially recent graduates – to work in underserved areas.

“We leave Brazilian applicants free to choose the More Doctors rules or take advantage of the PROVAB incentives,” Health Minister Arthur Chioro explained.

This means applicants will be able to decide whether they want to spend three years in designated locations specified by the government – as is the case with the More Doctors program – or to spend only a year and get a 10% bonus on their final exam grades of the residency program, features which are exclusive to PROVAB.

In both cases, the stipend is the same ($3,830), and upon program completion, the physician is considered a family health specialist. Successful applicants should start work on March 3.

Currently, 11,429 Cubans, 1,846 Brazilians and 1,187 overseas physicians from such countries as Argentina, Portugal, Venezuela, Bolivia, Spain, and Uruguay are participating in the More Doctors Program.

Translated by Mayra Borges