Organization of primary health care and surveillance in response to COVID-19 in municipalities in the Northeast of Brazil

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the organization and development of primary health care and surveillance, including normative frameworks and the implementation of local health actions. Qualitative descriptive multiple-case study involving three municipalities in the state of Bahia. We conducted 75 interviews and a document analysis. The results were categorized into the following two dimensions: approach to the organization of the pandemic response; and development of care and surveillance actions at local level. Municipality 1 was found to have a well-defined concept of the integration of health and surveillance with a view to organizing team work processes. However, the municipality did not strengthen the technical capacity of health districts to support surveillance actions. In M2 and M3, delays in defining PHC as the entry point for the health system and the prioritization of a central telemonitoring service run by the municipal health surveillance department compounded the fragmentation of actions and meant that PHC services played only a limited role in the pandemic response. Clear policy and technical guidelines and adequate structural conditions are vital to ensure the effective reorganization of work processes and foster the development of permanent arrangements that strengthen intersectoral collaboration.

Early warning system using primary healthcare data in the post-COVID-19-pandemic era: Brazil nationwide case-study

“…15 In the context of an article on early warning systems, it is important to highlight the distinct advantages of integrating PHC data with conventional surveillance systems. 8,9 This is particularly relevant in Brazil, where the granularity of PHC is exceptionally valuable. PHC extends its reach even to regions where more advanced healthcare facilities are lacking, reaching underserved rural and remote regions.…”

“…In this sense, integrating Primary Health Care (PHC) data into syndromic surveillance systems is regarded as a valuable source of information for early outbreak detection. 8,9 The advancements in technology and the increasing availability of routinely collected health data highlight the importance of integrating digital health approaches to establish early warning systems for pandemic preparedness and response. 1,2 The use of digital health in early warning enables the collection and analysis of diverse data streams.…”

“…In this sense, integrating Primary Health Care (PHC) data into syndromic surveillance systems is regarded as a valuable source of information for early outbreak detection. 8,9…”