After attacks and false accusations by Jair Bolsonaro in 2018, Cuba decided to withdraw more than 9,000 of its doctors working in Brazil. As a result, brazilians are now facing more dificulties to find health care. The most recent National Health Survey, released last year, indicates a reduction of almost 10% in primary health care coverage in the period between 2013 and 2019.
Under the "Mais Médicos" program, cuban doctors were sent to places with a shortage of health professionals. Until the arrival of the cubans, Brazil had more than 400 municipalities without any doctor registered in the public heath sector. More than 1,500 cities depended on a rotation scheme, in which the doctor attended, at most, twice a week.
“The percentage of health staff in Brazil has dropped a lot. The municipalities had no condition - and still do not have - to quickly hire new doctors. Why? They would have to make an announcement for the official examination. Hiring doctors is expensive and it would increase the number of mayors' personnel. The mayors are all fed up with the tax liability, so they can't take a new edict", says Fabiano Ribeiro dos Santos, Undersecretary of health of the Espírito Santo state.
Also on this week’s program: The minister of economy of Brazil, Paulo Guedes, is found on the Pandora Papers. In the culture segment, you will hear Paulinho da Viola, one of the greatest names of samba.
All What's Happening in Brazil episodes are available at Brasil de Fato's YouTube channel, where you'll also find a special English-content playlist. Partners who wish to include a longer version of the show in their schedule may contact our international team at [email protected].
For more news about Brazil and our region, visit our website.
Edited by: Arturo Hartmann
