The “Venezuelan migrant subject” in Brazil: conceptions of managers of the Unified Health Care System

Abstract

The objective of this study is to analyze the conceptions of managers of SUS health services regarding the Venezuelan subject, as well as the health care practices of their respective teams of professionals with the Venezuelan population, in a municipality in Southern Brazil. This is a qualitative study that involved focus groups with managers of health services in the region. The results were analyzed through an inductive Thematic Analysis, and organized into two main themes: (1) conceptions about the “Venezuelan migrant person” in Brazil; and (2) health care policies, strategies and practices for the Venezuelan population. We identified that the conceptions of managers point to a vulnerability of the Venezuelan population in different spheres, while indicating a non-difference in relation to Brazilians and questioning regarding the health rights of the migrant population in Brazil. Furthermore, there are no specific public health policies for Venezuelan migrants, however actions at an interpersonal level by health service professionals. Getting to know the specificities of migrant populations, such as Venezuelans, provides an opportunity to develop consistent public health policies, especially for proposing more culturally sensitive health practices.