Brazil expands healthcare access through medical drives and infrastructure upgrades

Brazil is implementing various initiatives to expand access to the Unified Health System (SUS) and modernize medical infrastructure. Across several regions, health authorities are conducting specialized medical drives to reduce waiting lists. These include vascular surgery marathons for varicose vein treatments in Paraíba and Natal, and diagnostic imaging drives in Feira de Santana.

At the federal level, Health Minister Alexandre Padilha recently visited Jundiaí to inspect high-complexity oncology facilities and mobile diagnostic units. These efforts are part of the ‘Agora Tem Especialistas’ program, which utilizes advanced technology like linear accelerators to improve radiotherapy precision and speed up patient care.

Efforts to strengthen the system also focus on domestic production of medical supplies and technology to reduce reliance on imports. While the SUS provides universal coverage, the Brazilian health landscape remains a hybrid model, with the private sector serving over 53 million beneficiaries under the regulation of the National Supplementary Health Agency (ANS).