“More Doctors” program: 624 municipalities to receive 1,500 physicians
Over 1,500 exchange doctors and Brazilians trained abroad have begun the first reception and evaluation module of the “Mais Médicos” (“More Doctors”) program. The Ministry of Health has stated that these professionals are expected to start providing care via Brazil’s public healthcare network, the SUS, in 624 municipalities and 15 indigenous health districts across all country regions.
This module includes 1,515 Brazilian doctors with foreign diplomas and 82 foreigners. Upon completing this module, these professionals will join the doctors already working in the program. By 2023, the “Mais Médicos” program had filled 28,200 vacancies, covering 82 percent of the national territory and benefiting 86 million Brazilians.
"The program's other achievement was reaching 100 percent of the 34 indigenous special health districts (DSEIs)—a significant advancement given the lack of assistance faced by this population in recent years," the ministry stated.
The reception and evaluation module is being conducted in partnership with the Ministry of Education. The professionals undergo 160 hours of classes covering legislation, the attributions, and functioning of the SUS, actions within the scope of primary care, clinical care protocols defined by the ministry, the Code of Medical Ethics, as well as protocols and guidelines specific to the state and municipality where they will work.
What's new
In 2024, the program opened a selection process for the first time to serve vulnerable populations, such as people deprived of their liberty or homeless. Specific training will be provided to exchange doctors working directly with these groups or populations requiring specific skills.
"Specific modules and classes will instruct professionals on how to approach situations involving violence, alcohol and other drug abuse, sexually transmitted infections, mental health, and other issues," the ministry added.
