There has been a significant resurgence of infrastructure investments in the healthcare sector in Brazil. UniMed is currently composed of 367 local member cooperatives, operating in over 80% of Brazil’s counties, with 41% of existing physicians to serve 7% of the population. The organization’s history began with local cooperatives and subsequently federations, the confederation, and other companies in the group. The organizational design and dynamics favor a high degree of decentralization and autonomy, subordination of all components in the system to the physician cooperative management. UniMed-Minas Gerais state is investing heavily in such projects being this new market environment is a fertile ground for health IT implementation such integrated EHR and cloud services.
Unimed-BH recently announced a R$250 million/US$125 million total investment in three large outpatient units construction with capacity for 300 new doctors, plus a trendy Research Institute. Part of this investment – R $ 185 million/US$93 million is funded by a Federal bank – BNDES. It is one of the largest funding to the health sector by public funding sources, thus there are requirements for a concomitant social project funded by this investment.
Helton Freitas, Unimed-BH CEO, funding approval by BNDES states the social relevance of this initiative, as well as the economic and financial soundness of the Cooperative. Besides prioritizing a sector of great impact to the population, these investments will expand health services for the region. The estimate is that the units will generate 800 direct jobs for health professionals and technical-administrative.
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Health Services Offerings
Among the units covered by this investment, the first construction project has already been completed and it has been in operation since March 2013. The opening of the Center for Health Promotion Unimed – Unit Pedro expanded the supply of medical services to over 11,000 visits per month. The other construction projects, a Center for Health Promotion and a Medical Center – are underway, and it is scheduled to be completed in the first half of 2014. The Research Institute will be integrated with those two centers. In addition to increasing the volume of visits, these projects will promote health education and add service lines such as elderly care, rehabilitation and mental health.
UniMed Health System Expansion
Besides the ambulatory services investment, Unimed-BH plans to invest an additional R$ 250 million/US$125 million in new hospital beds, from the current 487 beds to 1000 in the next few years, generating 2000 direct jobs in its operations. The priority is the Unimed Hospital expansion adding 350 new beds, more than double of its present the capacity. Investment in the hospital awaiting approval of a bill pending before the City Council, allowing works to expand the park of the city hospital. Overall, Unimed-BH is responsible for the largest private investment plan in the health care network in the metropolitan region.
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Currently, Unimed-BH network is comprised of two emergency rooms hospital, a maternity and emergency care unit, located in the metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte, capital of the Minas Gerais state. Also part of this network are four Health Care Centers, three Health Promotion Centers, two Radiology Centers and Home Care and Occupational Health.
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