Amplifying vulnerable voices: health ombudsman services as equity mechanisms in the brazilian Unified Health System
1
1 Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
2
2 Ministry of Health, Brasília, Brazil
3
4 Fundação Oswaldo Cruz Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
4
3 Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Universal health systems require not only an offer of healthcare services as also ensuring equity of access to care for all population groups, specially in light of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)¹. Health ombudsman services can function as equity mechanisms, providing accessible channels for populations to express their needs and guarantee access to health as a right²⁻³. This study examines how ombudsman services in Brazil can be designed and implemented to actively reduce health inequalities and amplify the voices of vulnerable communities.
METHODS:
Secondary data analysis of data of individually recorded contacts by service users with SUS ombudsman services from 1st January 2024 to July 18, 2025, through the National Network of SUS Ombudsman Services panel⁴. Records were categorized using the OuvidorSUS system. Quantitative analysis assessed patterns in recorded contacts across Brazil's five regions, unveiling possible population health needs.
RESULTS:
A total of 252791 recorded health services requests were registered by the National Network of SUS Ombudsman Service. Across all Brazilian regions, these were distributed as North, 7586 requests (42.99% of total regional manifestations), primarily Neurology and Ophthalmology (most requested specialties) and Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (examination procedure); Northeast (29607- 62.85%) Ophthalmology, Psychiatry, Colonoscopy; Central-West (27014- 64.91%) Ophthalmology, Physiotherapy, Orthopedic Surgery; Southeast (183040- 56.99%) Orthopedics and Traumatology, Ultrasound Diagnostics; and South (5544- 19.65%) Ophthalmology, Neurology, Hospital Beds. These findings are aligned with the distribution of services across the country.
CONCLUSIONS:
Health ombudsman services can promote health equity when intentionally designed with a focus on the most vulnerable populations and if the policy is framed under a social rights lens. Ombudsman outreach and data analysis are essential for health systems improvement and should be considered when reforming health policies⁵⁻⁷. By systematically documenting and addressing access barriers, ombudsman services can positively contribute towards SDGs targets, leading health systems towards genuine universality and social justice.
Universal health systems require not only an offer of healthcare services as also ensuring equity of access to care for all population groups, specially in light of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)¹. Health ombudsman services can function as equity mechanisms, providing accessible channels for populations to express their needs and guarantee access to health as a right²⁻³. This study examines how ombudsman services in Brazil can be designed and implemented to actively reduce health inequalities and amplify the voices of vulnerable communities.
METHODS:
Secondary data analysis of data of individually recorded contacts by service users with SUS ombudsman services from 1st January 2024 to July 18, 2025, through the National Network of SUS Ombudsman Services panel⁴. Records were categorized using the OuvidorSUS system. Quantitative analysis assessed patterns in recorded contacts across Brazil's five regions, unveiling possible population health needs.
RESULTS:
A total of 252791 recorded health services requests were registered by the National Network of SUS Ombudsman Service. Across all Brazilian regions, these were distributed as North, 7586 requests (42.99% of total regional manifestations), primarily Neurology and Ophthalmology (most requested specialties) and Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (examination procedure); Northeast (29607- 62.85%) Ophthalmology, Psychiatry, Colonoscopy; Central-West (27014- 64.91%) Ophthalmology, Physiotherapy, Orthopedic Surgery; Southeast (183040- 56.99%) Orthopedics and Traumatology, Ultrasound Diagnostics; and South (5544- 19.65%) Ophthalmology, Neurology, Hospital Beds. These findings are aligned with the distribution of services across the country.
CONCLUSIONS:
Health ombudsman services can promote health equity when intentionally designed with a focus on the most vulnerable populations and if the policy is framed under a social rights lens. Ombudsman outreach and data analysis are essential for health systems improvement and should be considered when reforming health policies⁵⁻⁷. By systematically documenting and addressing access barriers, ombudsman services can positively contribute towards SDGs targets, leading health systems towards genuine universality and social justice.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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