Hospital equipment in Brazil: presence, regionalization and tendency

Abstract

The author presents an analysis of Brazilian hospitals, with emphasis on geographical distribution and development from 1962 until 1971. Examining private and governamental participation an increment of 56% in official hospitals and 43% in private ones can be seen. In consequence the total participation of private hospitals came to 84.9% in 1962 and 83.8% in 1971. The Southeastern, Northeastern and Southern regions of Brazil showed greatest indices of hospital development, with respective increments of 42%, 27% and 17%. The analysis of the index hospital beds per 1000 inhabitants indicates a total 15% increment, there having been a slight decrease in the capitals (7.2 to 7.1%) and an increase from 2.5 to 2.9% beds per 1000 inhabitants up country. Another aspect in this analysis shows 53% of Brazilian counties without local hospital facilities; these towns are probably too small, where there are no possibilities of hospital maintenance.