The Ministry of Health (MS) announced, this Tuesday (September 2nd), a mobilization of the federal network in Rio de Janeiro to reduce waiting times and expand specialized care in the Unified Health System (SUS), amounting to BRL 170 million in 2025. This measure, implemented within the context of the "Now There Are Specialists" program, is part of the Restructuring Plan for Federal Hospitals in the State. The proposal includes expanding consultations, examinations, surgeries, diagnoses, and treatments in oncology, orthopedics, and cardiology, with 2,059 professionals, 161 beds, and 10 new operating rooms. The integration of the Fernandes Figueira National Institute for Women, Children and Adolescents (IFF/Fiocruz) with the Lagoa Federal Hospital was also announced as part of the actions to requalify the National Institutes.

"Agora tem Especialistas" (Now There Are Experts) is an initiative of the Federal Government and the Ministry of Health, in partnership with states and municipalities. In Rio de Janeiro, the proposal is being conducted in conjunction with the restructuring of the National Institutes, which include the National Cancer Institute (Inca), the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics (Into), and the National Institute of Cardiology (INC).

Following the signing of a technical cooperation agreement (ACT), Fiocruz is joining the Ministry of Health's effort to upgrade these National Institutes, focusing on research, teaching, and the allocation of human resources. As a strategic state institution, the Foundation once again puts its expertise at the service of the Ministry of Health, responding promptly to all calls for action in support of the SUS, promoting greater technological and scientific autonomy in national public health.

"No one will be left behind or left unattended. We're talking about expanding services, not closing them down. We are talking about improving the quality of each hospital, not about dismantling them. No one will be left without care. Our commitment, from everyone involved in this process, is to serve all patients in these hospitals, including those waiting in internal queues for this service. "Everyone will be attended to," highlighted the Minister of Health, Alexandre Padilha.

"Fiocruz works on multiple fronts for the SUS, from the production of vaccines and medicines to the training of professionals; from scientific research and innovation to health care." Since our inception, we have had a tradition of specialized care and hospital services. "With the agreements signed today with the Ministry of Health, we are taking an important step in strengthening the National Institutes, Inca, Into and INC," highlighted the president of Fiocruz, Mario Moreira.

The president emphasized that, through the integration between HFL and IFF, the feeling of responsibility is combined with optimism and confidence that the actions taken will benefit the population of Rio de Janeiro. "With this initiative, we are making a significant

contribution to expanding the provision of health services for women, children, and adolescents, filling gaps in care in a gradual, planned manner, based on dialogue with patients and workers."

Integration of IFF/Fiocruz with the Federal Hospital of Lagoa As part of the restructuring plan for the National Institutes, the integration of the Fernandes Figueira National Institute for Women, Children and Adolescents (IFF/Fiocruz) with the Lagoa Federal Hospital was also announced. Based on a gradual, transparent, and planned process, the proposal is based on a commitment to dialogue with SUS patients and workers at both units. Furthermore, there is a commitment to individualized support and investment in permanent communication channels to ensure that no user is left without assistance.

"The integration was based on a technical study by the DGH presented at a public hearing, requested by the [Federal Public Defender's Office] DPU about ten days ago," explained the director of the Department of Hospital Management (DGH) of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Teresa Navarro, during the presentation of the requalification plan for the National Institutes of Rio de Janeiro. The hearing included the participation of representatives from the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office, the Federal Public Defender's Office, the Federal Court of Auditors, and the State and Municipal Health Councils in Rio de Janeiro.

The integration schedule includes two stages. The first phase, still in 2025 and initiated with the signing of the decree this Tuesday (September 2nd), establishes the decentralization of management and services to Fiocruz and includes hiring, equipment acquisition, emergency renovations, joint efforts, and the gradual opening of hospital beds. The following are planned: reactivation of beds and improvement of services focusing on patients awaiting care; continuous monitoring of patients until their placement in a new healthcare unit; a customized transition plan for each case; and dialogue with the services and patients of both hospital units.