Primary Health Care in Brasil in the times of COVID-19: changes, challenges and perspectives

ABSTRACT

SUMMARY The pandemic of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has put pressure on countries'health systems. Although attention is mostly directed at the hospital sector, since many critically ill people will need intensive care, Primary Health Care (PHC) has also been disrupted. In Brasil, a universal and free health system has existed since the 1988 Constitution, which re-organized the PHC to attend the population. However, like other countries, the Brazilian health system is being overloaded with the increase in the large number of COVID-19 cases. It is worth reflecting on the changes and challenges in PHC during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brasil.