AVALIAÇÃO DE DESEMPENHO DE REDES DE PESQUISA: O CASO DO INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE CIÊNCIA, INOVAÇÃO E TECNOLOGIA EM SAÚDE – INCT-CITECS

Research networks are an organizational form which enhance actions, articulating different competencies. This study aimed to evaluate the overall performance of the National Institute of Science, Innovation and Technology in Health (Citecs) in 2009 and 2010. For the analysis, a matrix was created. It was composed of 21 indicators grouped into four components: (1) Strengthening of the network, (2) Knowledge transfer, (3) Research, (4) Training. The results showed that Citecs achieved its goals, increased its activities in the four components. In this period, the following indicators were highlighted, due to their significant rise: peer reviewed papers in collaboration; scientific support to health policies; science education activities, and undergraduate student in science program supervision. The methods used in this evaluation may be adapted to assess other research networks with similar objectives.As redes de colaboração científica são formas de organização que potencializam açõesde pesquisa, a partir da articulação de diferentes competências. Este estudo objetivou avaliar o desempenho do Instituto Nacional de Ciência, Inovação e Tecnologia em Saúde (Citecs), em 2009 e 2010, através de uma matriz composta por 21 indicadores agrupados em quatro eixos: (1) consolidação da rede, (2) transferência de conhecimento, (3) pesquisa e (4) formação de pessoal. Os resultados revelaram que o Citecs tem atendido aos objetivos propostos, ampliando suas ações nos quatro eixos. Neste período avaliado, destaca-se o aumento dos seguintes indicadores: publicações científicas em conjunto, apoio à formulação de políticas na área da saúde, atividades de educação científica e orientação de alunos de graduação em atividades de iniciação científica. O método utilizado nesta avaliação pode ser adaptado para outras redes de pesquisa com objetivos similares

The potential impact of austerity on attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals in Brazil

In the recent decades, Brazil has outperformed comparable countries in its progress toward meeting the Millennium Development Goals. Many of these improvements have been driven by investments in health and social policies. In this article, we aim to identify potential impacts of austerity policies in Brazil on the chances of achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and its consequences for population health. Austerity’s anticipated impacts are assessed by analysing the change in federal spending on different budget programmes from 2014 to 2017. We collected budget data made publicly available by the Senate. Among the selected 19 programmes, only 4 had their committed budgets increased, in real terms, between 2014 and 2017. The total amount of extra money committed to these four programmes in 2017, above that committed in 2014, was small (BR$9.7 billion). Of the 15 programmes that had budget cuts in the period from 2014 to 2017, the total decrease amounted to BR$60.2 billion (US$15.3 billion). In addition to the overall large budget reduction, it is noteworthy that the largest proportional reductions were in programmes targeted at more vulnerable populations. In conclusion, it seems clear that the current austerity policies in Brazil will probably damage the population’s health and increase inequities, and that the possibility of meeting SDG targets is lower in 2018 than it was in 2015

The current challenges of the fight for a universal right to health in Brazil

Desde a promulgação da Constituição federal de 1988, o Brasil mudou muito. Na saúde, embora tenham ocorrido avanços importantes, persistem problemas antigos e novos têm surgido. O objetivo maior de assegurar o direito universal à saúde não foi alcançado. Em 2019, realiza-se a 16ª Conferência Nacional de Saúde, momento oportuno para analisar a história, o momento presente e as tendências que se anunciam. Este texto busca contribuir para essa análise, com base nos resultados de estudos sobre a evolução das condições de saúde da população e do sistema de saúde brasileiro nos últimos 30 anos. Identifica o fortalecimento do setor privado e do capital na área da saúde, em detrimento do interesse público e do SUS. Por fim, discute as estratégias de luta pelo direito à saúde necessárias e possíveis no contexto atual24827832792Brazil has changed a lot since the enactment of the 1988 Federal Constitution. Although substantial advances have occurred in the health sector, old problems persist and new ones arise. The main goal of ensuring the universal right to health has not been achieved. The 16th National Health Conference will be held in 2019, an opportune moment to analyze the history, the present moment and the announcing trends. This text seeks to contribute to this analysis based on the results of studies on the developing health conditions of the population and the Brazilian health system in the last 30 years. It identifies the strengthening of the private sector and capital in the health sector, to the detriment of the public interest and the SUS. Finally, it discusses the strategies of the struggle for the right to health necessary and possible in the current contex

Social distancing measures to control the COVID-19 pandemic: potential impacts and challenges in Brazil.

The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged researchers and policy makers to identify public safety measures forpreventing the collapse of healthcare systems and reducingdeaths. This narrative review summarizes the available evidence on the impact of social distancing measures on the epidemic and discusses the implementation of these measures in Brazil. Articles on the effect of social distancing on COVID-19 were selected from the PubMed, medRXiv and bioRvix databases. Federal and state legislation was analyzed to summarize the strategies implemented in Brazil. Social distancing measures adopted by the population appear effective, particularly when implemented in conjunction with the isolation of cases and quarantining of contacts. Therefore, social distancing measures, and social protection policies to guarantee the sustainability of these measures, should be implemented. To control COVID-19 in Brazil, it is also crucial that epidemiological monitoring is strengthened at all three levels of the Brazilian National Health System (SUS). This includes evaluating and usingsupplementary indicators to monitor the progression of the pandemic and the effect of the control measures, increasing testing capacity, and making disaggregated notificationsand testing resultstransparentand broadly available