Brazil officializes ITMI to manage smart hospital network for SUS

The Brazilian government has officially designated the Instituto Tecnológico de Medicina Inteligente (ITMI) as the social organization responsible for managing the National Network of Hospitals and High-Precision Medicine Services. This initiative, formalized by a decree from President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, aims to modernize the Unified Health System (SUS) through the integration of digital technologies, including artificial intelligence and real-time patient monitoring.

The project includes the implementation of 14 smart Intensive Care Units (ICUs) across Brazil's five regions and the construction of the Institute of Emergencies at the Hospital das Clínicas (HC) of the University of São Paulo. This new facility is expected to feature 800 beds for high-complexity care. The total cost for the ICU system and the new hospital is estimated at R$ 1.9 billion, with R$ 1.7 billion to be funded by a loan from the New Development Bank (NDB) and R$ 200 million from the Ministry of Health.

On a regional level, the city of Marília has also launched an Advanced Center for Artificial Intelligence in Health. This local partnership between the University of Marília (Unimar), Hospital Beneficente Unimar (HBU), and the municipal government seeks to use technology to expedite exams, optimize waiting lists, and prioritize urgent patient care.