Program brings 407 new doctors to underserved areas across Brazil
This week, 407 doctors who graduated from abroad and completed the requirements of Brazil’s Mais Médicos (“More Doctors”) initiative will begin working at public care facilities in 180 cities and 15 indigenous health districts across 22 Brazilian states. The program aims to address the shortage of medical professionals in underserved areas.
“With the arrival of these doctors, the Ministry of Health expects positive impacts on the communities served, including expanded access to primary care, shorter waiting times through online medical records, and significant strides in indigenous health care,” an official note reads.
The statement says that the health agents have received specific training to work in urgent situations and to deal with diseases prevalent in the regions where they will be deployed, including malaria.
“In order to ensure the effectiveness of the program and the quality of care provided to the people, the ministry is closely monitoring the performance of the professionals. One of the main monitoring tools is [an app] which allows patients’ histories to be recorded and tracked, further connecting primary care and other levels of assistance,” the text adds.
Figures
As it stands today, some 24,900 professionals are active in the program across 4,200 municipalities—77 percent of Brazil’s territory. Approximately 1,700 of these cities are said to face high social vulnerability. The ministry’s goal is to have 28 thousand professionals in the initiative by the end of 2025.
“In December 2024, the program set a milestone by having the highest number of doctors working in indigenous health-care districts—601,” he stated.
