Palmas City Hall ordered to reassume management of North and South UPAs

The Court of Justice of Tocantins (TJTO) has ruled that the City Hall of Palmas must fully reassume the administration of the North and South Urgent Care Units (UPAs) within 45 days. This decision follows intervention by the Public Ministry of Tocantins (MPTO), which identified irregularities in the transfer of management to the Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Itatiba.

The ruling suspends the administrative acts and the collaboration agreement between the Municipal Health Secretariat and Santa Casa, which had an estimated annual value of approximately R$139.2 million. The MPTO noted that the new contracting proposal could result in a reduction of R$58 million in projected costs, representing a significant impact on public funds.

To ensure the continuity of healthcare services during this transition, the municipality is required to take all necessary administrative, budgetary, logistical, and personnel measures to prevent any interruption in patient care.