The statement by the Minister of Education, Camilo Santanaabout the creation of a university hospital in Acre, reignited the debate about the future of the public health network in the state. In response, the president of , Sóron Steiner, stated that the unit will not be transferred to the federal government and classified the possibility as “non-negotiable”.
The demonstration took place this Monday (2), during an interview with the podcast On Scenedo ContilNet. According to Steiner, although he recognizes the importance of federal investments, Fundhacre’s structure is essential for serving the population and cannot be replaced.
“The resource is welcome, Acre needs investments, but the Foundation is a heritage of the people of Acre. It serves not only patients from the state, but also from neighboring regions and even nearby countries. We cannot give up on this”, he stated.
Understand the controversy
The discussion gained strength after Camilo Santana’s visit to Acre, last week. During the schedule at Federal University of Acrein Rio Branco, the minister stated that the state is the only one in the country that does not yet have a university hospital.
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According to him, since 2023 there has been a commitment from the governor Gladson Cameli to donate a state hospital unit so that the Ministry of Education can transform it into a teaching hospital.
The project already has R$50 million reserved in the New PAC for renovation, acquisition of equipment and adaptation of the structure. However, the resources remain on hold, awaiting a formal definition from the state government.
“The most expensive thing about a hospital is not building it, it’s maintaining it. That’s why we looked for an existing structure, which would make the process faster”, explained the minister.
He also highlighted that university hospitals, in addition to training professionals, expand high-complexity care through the Unified Health System (SUS), helping to reduce queues.
“Foundation is not in negotiation”
Despite previous signs about the possible donation, Sóron Steiner stated that the state government has already taken a stance against handing over Fundhacre to federal management.
According to her, the reality of Acre requires the expansion of the network, and not the replacement of a strategic unit.
“Once you donate a unit like the Foundation, you assume that it is no longer needed. And that is not true. The state needs to expand, not reduce”, he pointed out.
The president reinforced that the institution already acts as a training space, receiving students and maintaining medical and multidisciplinary residency programs, including in partnership with UFAC itself.
Defense of a new hospital
Although he rules out the transfer of Fundhacre, Steiner stated that he is in favor of creating a university hospital in the state — as long as a new structure is built.
“Our defense is that there should be a new unit to complement the network. We need more beds, more specialists and more training spaces”, he said.
She added that Fundhacre is going through processes to strengthen its role as a teaching hospital, including seeking official accreditation in this category.
Minister Camilo Santana stated that he intends to resume dialogue with the state government to try to make the project viable. If the donation of an existing unit does not progress, the Ministry of Education must study alternatives, such as building a hospital from scratch, an option considered more expensive and time-consuming, with estimated costs between R$200 million and R$250 million.
“The president’s decision is that no Brazilian state will be left without a university hospital. Acre is the only one that is still missing”, he declared.
Watch the full interview:
