Ten-year increase of healthcare facilities in Brazil and links to the Unified Health System

Abstract

Based on the problem of the public-private relationship in the Brazilian health sector, this publication describes a descriptive and trend study on the proportional increase in types of health establishments and equipment in Brazil, in segments of the public and private sectors during the period 2010-2019. The main trend identified was the proportional increase in the private sector, especially in medium- and high-complexity services. The trend is also downward in primary care services, specifically state services. The marked tendency toward expansion of the private sector in highly complex health activities and of the public sector, markedly by private non-profit Social Organizations, presents an important trend toward sectorialization of the Brazilian health system, geared toward market interests. Deregulation allied to limited access and coverage, due to economic limitations linked to the consumption relationship, are possible consequences of this scenario.