Regional management in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic: case study in São Paulo

Abstract

At the end of 2019 the world was surprised by COVID-19, which arrived in Brazil at the beginning of 2020, causing the Unified Health System (SUS) to adopt immediate strategies to meet health needs, as well as putting in check all the obstacles that the health system has been facing in recent years. In the state of São Paulo it was not different from the rest of the country in relation to the confrontation. This study aimed to identify the main strategies adopted in 5 health regions of São Paulo, focusing on regional management, analyzing the processes and practices adopted to face the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a qualitative study, carried out through a multiple case study, with an exploratory approach, based on field research and regional workshops. In this study, the health regions were able to prove the importance of intersectoral actions in the health system. It was noted the great role of municipalities in these actions and their union, strengthening the role of regionalization and expanding the importance of governance in health. In addition, the health regions were strengthened because they exercised their leadership role and organized actions with the municipalities.