# Brazil medical residency regulation and quota debate > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/brazil-medical-residency-regulation-and-quota-debate > Updated: 2026-08-18T22:02:34.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 2. The Brazilian Ministry of Education (MEC) introduced new regulations for medical residency programs to modernize specialist training and improve efficiency. These updates, defined by the National Commission of Medical Residency (CNRM), include allowing a second annual entry to fill vacancies and adjusting academic calendars to better align with the Unified Health System (SUS). Following these administrative updates, the Brazilian Human Rights Commission (CDH) held a public hearing to debate the use of quotas in residency selection. The debate focused on Bill PL 452/2025, which proposes to prohibit affirmative action in these programs. Supporters of quotas argued they are necessary to address racial disparities in the medical field, noting that while Black people make up 55.5% of the population, they represent only 4.7% of medical students. Opponents of the bill advocated for meritocratic and technical criteria, emphasizing that residency involves direct patient care. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-18: Brazil Human Rights Commission debates medical residency quotas The Brazilian Human Rights Commission debated Bill PL 452/2025, which proposes banning quotas in medical residency programs, amid discussions on racial inequality in healthcare. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazil-human-rights-commission-debates-medical-residency-quotas ### 2026-08-17: Brazil Ministry of Education updates medical residency rules Brazil's Ministry of Education has introduced new rules for medical residency programs, including a second annual entry to reduce vacancy rates and modernize specialist training. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazil-ministry-of-education-updates-medical-residency-rules --- Cite as: Brazil medical residency regulation and quota debate. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/brazil-medical-residency-regulation-and-quota-debate