Fiocruz Spotlights the vital Role of SUS with New Book and Award
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Brazil’s Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) is reinforcing the vital role of its public health system (SUS) by launching the book Fiocruz is SUS: Care, Humanization and Innovations for Brazil. The launch coincides with the 38th Congress of the National Council of Municipal Health Departments (CONASEMS), held in Belo Horizonte from june 15-18, 2025. The event also features the presentation of the “Fiocruz is SUS: Universal law to health, Equity and democracy” award to five outstanding SUS initiatives.
Recognizing Innovation in Public Health
The “Fiocruz is SUS” award, presented during the 20th Brazil Show, recognizes exceptional practices within the SUS. The selected initiatives,chosen from hundreds of entries,will receive a trophy,certification,and benefit from a year-long monitoring program.This program will culminate in the creation of a book and video showcasing their work.
Did you Know? The SUS is one of the largest publicly funded health systems in the world,providing universal healthcare to over 210 million Brazilians.
Claudia Beatriz Le Cocq,a member of the evaluation board for the Ideiasus Fiocruz platform, explained that the practices are judged on several criteria. These include relevance, innovative character, applicability, achieved results, and the quality of their oral presentation.
Inside the New Publication
The new book showcases five Ideiasus-awarded experiences from the previous year’s show. It highlights the critical role of the Brazilian public health system and municipalities in the daily lives of citizens. The preface, co-authored by Valcler Rangel Fernandes (Vice President of Surroundings, Attention and Health Promotion of fiocruz), Wagner Oliveira (President of CONASEMS and Ideiasus coordinator), and Valber Frutuos (Presidency Advisor), emphasizes the book’s timely contribution. They state that it arrives “at a time when discussions about the role of public health, global health and public health systems are increasingly structuring to expand qualified health debate than people, territories and municipalities and the world need.”
Examples of awarded Initiatives
The publication details several innovative approaches to healthcare:
- Rurolópolis, pará: A network providing comprehensive assistance and care during gestation and childbirth, reflecting the complexities of the Amazon region’s SUS.
- Viamão, Rio grande do Sul: A program focused on providing optimal mental health care, psychosocial support, and leprosy treatment, leading to the deinstitutionalization of the Itapuã Hospital.
- Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo: An intersectoral system designed to alert and prevent acts of violence against children and youth.
- Juara, Mato Grosso: An orientative planning initiative focused on adherence to post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and viral hepatitis, developed collaboratively by the Testing and Counseling Center (CTA) and the Specialized Assistance Service (SAE).
- Turilândia, Maranhão: A humanized preventive process attentive to the daily lives and needs of women.
Pro Tip: Explore the Ideiasus Fiocruz platform for more examples of innovative healthcare practices within the SUS.
The Broader Impact on Public Health
These initiatives demonstrate the adaptability and responsiveness of the SUS to diverse local needs. By highlighting these successes, Fiocruz aims to foster further innovation and improve healthcare outcomes across Brazil. The focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion remains a core principle guiding Fiocruz’s actions [1].
| initiative | Location | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Gestation and Childbirth Network | Rurolópolis, Pará | Comprehensive maternal care |
| Mental Health and Leprosy Care | Viamão, Rio Grande do Sul | deinstitutionalization and specialized treatment |
| Violence Prevention System | Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo | Intersectoral approach to child and youth protection |
| PEP Adherence Planning | Juara, Mato Grosso | HIV/AIDS and STI prevention |
| Humanized Women’s Health | Turilândia, Maranhão | Preventive care tailored to women’s needs |
What other innovative approaches could improve public health in your community? How can technology play a greater role in delivering healthcare to underserved populations?
Evergreen Insights: The Brazilian Public Health System (SUS)
The Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), or Unified Health System, was established in 1988 and guarantees free access to health services for all brazilian citizens and foreign nationals. It is one of the largest publicly funded health systems in the world, covering a wide range of services from primary care to specialized treatments. The SUS faces ongoing challenges related to funding, infrastructure, and equitable access, but it remains a cornerstone of social welfare in Brazil.
FAQ About the Role of Fiocruz and SUS
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What is the main focus of the new Fiocruz book?
The book, ‘Fiocruz is SUS: Care, Humanization and Innovations for Brazil,’ highlights the fundamental role of the Brazilian public health system (SUS) and municipalities in people’s daily lives.
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what is the Fiocruz is SUS award?
The ‘Fiocruz is SUS: Universal Law to Health, Equity and Democracy’ award recognizes successful SUS experiences.Winners receive a trophy, certification, and 12 months of monitoring, culminating in a book and video production.
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What criteria are used to evaluate the SUS practices?
Practices are evaluated based on relevance, innovative character, experience applicability, results achieved, and oral presentation.
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Where was the book launched?
The book was launched during the 38th Congress of the national Council of Municipal Health Departments (CONASEMS) in belo Horizonte.
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What are some examples of the awarded SUS experiences?
Awarded experiences include a network for gestation and childbirth care in Rurolópolis, mental health and leprosy care in Viamão, a violence prevention system in Ribeirão Preto, HIV/AIDS prevention planning in Juara, and a humanized women’s health practice in Turilândia.
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why is the role of public health being emphasized now?
The emphasis on public health comes at a time when discussions about the role of public health,global health,and public health systems are increasingly structuring to expand qualified health debate.
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