The new Secretary of Health for the state of Rio de Janeiro, Ronaldo Damião, stated that the department will adopt technical criteria for the distribution of resources to municipalities in the state. According to him, the new co-financing model will encompass all 92 cities in the state, using parameters such as social vulnerability and population, following a methodology similar to that applied by the Ministry of Health.
Having been in charge of the department for about a month, Damião stated that he received instructions from the acting governor, Ricardo Couto, to focus exclusively on the technical aspects of management and avoid political interference in administrative decisions.
The secretary emphasized that the new team was assembled to guarantee technical autonomy in the main positions within the department and to ensure greater balance in the allocation of funds to municipalities.
Government wants to reduce political influence in healthcare.
During the interview, Ronaldo Damião stated that the department is holding frequent meetings with municipal representatives to identify regional challenges and improve services in the state public healthcare system.
According to him, political demands related to the release of funds should be directed to the Civil House, while the Health Secretariat will remain focused on technical management.
The secretary also commented on the internal review involving contracts and employees of the department. According to Damião, approximately two thousand responses have already been analyzed and, so far, no ghost employees have been identified.
The Secretariat intends to reduce contracts through TACs (Terms of Adjustment of Conduct).
Another point addressed was the high number of contracts awarded through Terms of Adjustment of Accounts (TACs), a method used without a traditional bidding process. Ronaldo Damião acknowledged the complexity of bidding in the health sector, but stated that this practice cannot become routine.
Currently, according to data presented by the Health Foundation, there are 458 contracts of this type. The secretary stated that he has prioritized reducing these agreements and explained that new bidding processes underway could eliminate approximately 75% of existing TACs (Terms of Adjustment of Conduct).
Damião also highlighted that emergency situations may require temporary contracts to avoid hospital shortages, but he emphasized that the administration's goal is to regularize administrative processes.
The state is seeking to reorganize the health budget.
In the financial area, the secretary stated that the state is already working to maintain the constitutional minimum of 12% investment in health. According to him, the priority now will be to reorganize the distribution of resources and improve the efficiency of public spending.
The manager also revealed that he has begun talks with the Civil House to discuss budget supplements. Last year, the Health sector needed a financial boost of approximately R$ 1,5 billion.
Damião also commented on specialized units managed by Social Organizations (OSs), such as the Paulo Niemeyer State Brain Institute. According to him, the government intends to create specific foundations to maintain the administrative autonomy of these units, which are considered strategic.
Competitions and training are among the priorities.
The secretary stated that he has already requested authorization for new public recruitment processes for both the Health Foundation and the State Health Secretariat.
In addition to hiring civil servants through competitive examinations, the administration intends to expand professional training programs through the department's Education Superintendency and the Institute for Assistance to State Employees of Rio de Janeiro.
Among the projects championed by Ronaldo Damião is the creation of a University-based Emergency Care Unit (UPA) linked to the Pedro Ernesto University Hospital, as well as partnerships with the National Academy of Medicine for courses focused on emergency medicine.
Joint efforts and new hospital beds to reduce waiting lists.
Combating waiting lists for highly complex care, especially in oncology, was also identified as a priority for the new administration.
According to Damião, the new oncology hospital in Baixada Fluminense has already begun to absorb patients from the state network, while a new unit focused on the Serra region should expand specialized care.
The secretary also stated that he intends to open new beds in university hospitals, rehabilitate closed wards, and organize task forces to expedite consultations and procedures that have been backlogged.
A palliative care hospital is under study.
In addition to the proposal for a University-based Emergency Care Unit (UPA), the department is considering transforming the Dermatology Institute in Jacarepaguá into a hospital focused on palliative care.
According to Ronaldo Damião, the goal is to offer humane assistance to patients without curative treatment options, while also providing support to their families.
The secretary stated that he intends to leave as his legacy the reorganization of the state's health structure, the review of contracts, the holding of public examinations, and the expansion of integration between the state, municipalities, and the federal government.
Leave a comment