INCOBRA - Increasing International Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation between Brazil and the European Union

Health Ministers from Brazil and Denmark, Ricardo Barros and Sophie Løhde, respectively, signed a cooperation agreement aimed at contributing to the development of the Brazilian public health information system and implementing programs for data unification and improvement of the patient care service.

"Brazil and Denmark share similar challenges in improving health management, seeking more quality services with the same resources," said Barros. "To overcome challenges, we are restructuring and strengthening the area of national health data. The objectives of this cooperation are to improve the health of the population, improve the experience of patients in care and reduce the per capita cost of health services."

One of the common challenges between the two countries is the division of health information between the Federal Union, states and municipalities, which makes it difficult to use data efficiently. In order to improve the use of the database, Denmark has implemented the "Health Data Program" which consists on the process of unifying all national health registers into a single system.

The idea is that the program model is also developed in Brazil, aiming to improve services by improving the use of data. The agreement promotes partnerships in three complementary areas of work: improving health data and unifying national health registries; the improvement of the patients’ classification system in the Unified Health System (the Brazilian public health system, SUS) by the methodology of Related Diagnostic Group (DRG); and improved management and standardization of medical terminology.

The beginning of the implementation activities of these new public health projects in Brazil is scheduled for January 2017, with missions of Danish professionals and technicians to various Brazilian cities.

(Management Agency on ST&I/ ABIPTI, with information from the Ministry of Health)