Difficulties in accessing medical surgical care in the Amazonas

Abstract

Despite over half of Amazonas’s inhabitants residing in rural areas, few specialized health services are available to them. Most advanced health services, including hemodialysis, are concentrated in the state capital, Manaus, leaving those in rural areas without access to proper healthcare. The population of the interior is devoid of units of health. This is partially due to the region’s challenging geography, making it difficult for rural populations to reach Manaus. All surgical hospitals in cities surrounding the capital are publicly funded, with no private healthcare options available in rural Amazonas. The Lancet Commission on Global Surgery, an international initiative, has proposed a model for analyzing the health system, especially the surgical system, to achieve universal access to safe surgery and anesthesia by 2030. Funding is a crucial factor in making this possible and providing better access to healthcare for all. A comprehensive analysis of the health system in the state is necessary to guide public policies, optimize future healthcare investments, and improve access to clinical and surgical treatments for the population.