Efficiency in the allocation of resources to the health units of Rio de Janeiro

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12957/cdf.2025.89379

Keywords:

Efficiency in Health, Resource Management, Primary Care, Equity in the SUS, Public Policies

Abstract

Efficient resource allocation is essential to ensure equity and quality in healthcare services, especially within the framework of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). This study analyzes the operational efficiency of healthcare units in the city of Rio de Janeiro, considering regional inequalities in the distribution of human and structural resources among Programmatic Areas (APs). Using a quantitative approach based on Multilevel Analysis and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), indicators of productivity, resolvability, and waiting times were evaluated. The results show that APs 3.3 and 5.1 exhibit lower operational efficiency, while units in AP 2.1 perform better, suggesting that factors such as infrastructure, workforce availability, and digitization significantly influence outcomes.

Based on these findings, it is recommended to implement strategies to rebalance workforce distribution, expand telemedicine services, invest in digital healthcare systems, and strengthen primary care. The analysis highlights the importance of evidence-based public policies to optimize resource allocation and reduce inequalities in healthcare access. Furthermore, future studies should evaluate the impact of implemented policies and explore alternative financing models to enhance the efficiency of SUS.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

ARAGÓN, M. J.; CASTELLI, A.; GERAATS, P. Can productivity growth measures identify best performing hospitals? Health Economics, v. 26, n. 7, p. 48-66, 2017.

BOJKE, C. et al. “Productivity Growth in the English National Health Service from 1998/1999 to 2013/2014”, Health Economics 26, pgs 547-565, 2017.

CASTELLI, A. et al. “Getting out what we put in: productivity of the English National Health Service”, Health Economics, Policy and Law, Volume 6 Issue 3, pg 313-335, 2011.

CASTELLI, A. et al. Health, policy and geography: Insights from a multi-level modelling approach. Social Science & Medicine, v. 92, p. 61–73, set. 2013.

CASTELLI, A.; LAYSON, S.; PEACOCK, S. Examining variations in hospital productivity in the English NHS. Centre for Health Economics, University of York, 2015.

CHERP - Centre for Health Economics Research and Policy. NHS Productivity: Measurement Challenges and Future Directions. University of York, 2013.

HOLLINGSWORTH, B. The measurement of efficiency and productivity of health care delivery. Health Economics, v. 17, n. 10, p. 1107–1128, out. 2008.

MARINHO, A.; et al. SUS: avaliação da eficiência. Instituto de Pesquisa Econômica Aplicada (IPEA), 2023.

MENDES, Á.; MELO, M. A.; CARNUT, L. A critical analysis of the implementation of the new model for allocating federal resources to primary healthcare: operationalism and improvisation. Cadernos de Saude Publica, v. 38, n. 2, p. e00164621, 2022.

ODWYER, G.; MATTOS, R. A.; KEMPER, E. S. A crise financeira e a saúde: o caso do município do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Ciência & Saúde Coletiva, v. 24, n. 12, p. 4499-4508, 2019.

YAVICH, N.; et al. Financiamiento, organización, costos y desempeño de los servicios de los subsistemas de salud argentinos. Revista de Salud Pública, v. 20, n. 2, p. 150-168, 2016.

Published

2025-04-16

How to Cite

SILVA, Dercio Santiago; GOMES; SILVA , Iandara de Moura; SERÓDIO, Renato Cony; CASTELLI, Adriana; DAL POZ, Mario. Efficiency in the allocation of resources to the health units of Rio de Janeiro. Cadernos do Desenvolvimento Fluminense, Rio de Janeiro, n. 28 especial, 2025. DOI: 10.12957/cdf.2025.89379. Disponível em: https://www.e-publicacoes.uerj.br/cdf/article/view/89379. Acesso em: 1 sep. 2025.