Rio Grande do Sul SUS healthcare expansion

The state of Rio Grande do Sul is implementing measures to expand medical services and reduce waiting lists within the Unified Health System (SUS).

In Porto Alegre, the city launched telemedicine services via the Gercon platform to decentralize access to specialists. The initial phase focuses on dermatology, neurology, and nutrition, utilizing both direct teleconsultations and teleinterconsultations to support primary care teams. The system organizes patient queues based on clinical risk and gravity.

At the state level, the government has signed ordinances to expand various medical specialties. Starting in October 2026, the expansion will include adult and pediatric neurology, adult and pediatric gastroenterology, adult coloproctology, vascular surgery for varicose veins, hearing rehabilitation, and surgical otorhinolaryngology. Additionally, 15 new outpatient clinics will be established to treat overweight and obesity, with further expansions in rheumatology, ocular plastic ophthalmology, and arterial vascular surgery planned for November.

To improve transparency and access, the state is introducing digital tools such as GurIA for appointment reminders and Prontuário Cidadão for tracking request status, medical priority, and estimated wait times. To support patient mobility, the ‘Agora Tem Especialistas’ program, through the ‘Caminhos da Saúde’ strategy, has introduced new transport vehicles including 35 vans, six Type A ambulances, and five Mobile Dental Units (UOMs) to assist those traveling between municipalities for specialized treatments.

The initiative involves significant financial investment, aiming for approximately R$ 700 million in 2026 and R$ 1 billion by the end of 2027. To encourage service delivery, the state may pay rates higher than the national SUS table for certain specialties.