Brazil pushes primary‑care investment and doctors’ salary floor forward

Deputy Ruy Carneiro visited Pirpirituba to hand over a new Basic Health Unit, highlighting that investing in primary care “saves lives” and improves access for vulnerable populations. The facility was built through a partnership of the federal government’s Novo PAC program, SUS and the municipal administration.

In the Senate, a proposal to establish a national salary floor of R$ 13,662 for doctors and dentists with a 20‑hour weekly workload advanced. The bill also introduces annual inflation adjustments, night‑shift and overtime premiums, mandatory rest breaks, and exclusive technical leadership for medical and dental services. Supporters say the measure corrects a decades‑old pay gap, while some public‑sector managers warn of fiscal challenges.

Both initiatives are part of broader efforts to strengthen Brazil’s health system and improve conditions for health workers and patients alike.