Situation of public health service in the Greater São Paulo, Brazil, in 1967

Abstract

This summary refers to a study carried out for the "Plano Diretor de São Paulo", including the area of the "Greater São Paulo''. 96.5% of the Health Centers and Subsidiary Centers are state agencies. The participation of the state government in this field, in the City of São Paulo is 100%. In the same area there is a ratio of one Health Center to every 400,000 inhabitants and one Subsidiary Health Center to every 160,000 inhabitants. In the area of "Greater São Paulo" this relation is one Health Center to 270,000 inhabitants and one Subsidiary Health Center to every 120,000 inhabitants. There are less Centers and Subsidiary Centers in the areas of lower social economic conditions. In 11 towns of the 38 which compose "Greater São Paulo", there is not even one Sanitary Unit. 77.2% of the Centers of Maternal and Child Care are state agencies. In the City of São Paulo, the relation is one Maternal and Child Care Center to every 33,000 inhabitants and in the area of "Greater São Paulo", one to every 30,000 inhabitants. 60% of these Centers in the City of São Paulo and 66% in "Greater São Paulo" do not offer pre-natal care. The county government does not participate in the specialized care to individuals, the psychiatric sector being in critical condition with only two out-patient clinics. There is a lack of personnel (doctors and technical assistants) in the Centers which offer medical care to lepers. The care offered to patients with tuberculosis is among the best considering all the units.