The antimony of the health care humanization proposal

Abstract

This essay seeks to contribute to the (re) formulation of a theoretical framework to analyze the humanization of health care, from a Marxian approach. For such, we dialogued with part of the Brazilian scientific production, in which we find the predominance of a trend that focuses on a humanization strategy from a subjective relational perspective, especially clear in the Política Nacional de Humanização da Atenção e Gestão no Sistema Único de Saúde (Brazilian Humanization Policy of Care and Administration in the Unified Health System). Although we acknowledge the importance of this strategy, we point its limits when discussing the concept of humanization from Marx, consequently, demonstrating the structure that creates the dehumanization process. We clarify that, considering the foundations of dehumanization, fighting against it must go beyond the subjective relational sphere, moving towards achieving the collective dimension of the class struggle against the capital. This process consists of articulating the particular struggle against the dehumanizing effects of the capital in health, with the general struggle against the capital in its most fundamental aspects.