Summary

SAI Brazil conducted a monitoring of the implementation of the national health policy in order to identify barriers to access to diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer. According to the SAI the relevance of the initiative is underscored by the high morbidity and mortality rates of cervical cancer which in most cases can be prevented and cured if diagnosed in a timely manner. Late diagnosis increases treatment costs and reduces the chances of recovery, negatively impacting the healthcare system and the quality of life of patients. Based on the monitoring results, it is planned to conclude a Citizen's Commitment (Compromisso Cidadão) as an instrument for joint action between the SAI Brazil, the Health Secretariat of the Federal District (Secretaria de Estado de Saúde do Distrito Federal), civil society representatives and other interested stakeholders. This agreement will define the governance structure, outline the roles of participants, designate the body responsible for coordinating the work, establish the frequency of meetings, specify expected outcomes and set forth reporting mechanisms for the agreed measures. The agreement should also include such indicators as the average waiting time for a gynecology appointment, the average waiting time for a colposcopy, the number of outstanding requests, the patient no-show rate, and the percentage of patients who received the procedure within the established timeframe. The SAI Brazil has authorized its specialized health audit unit (unidade de auditoria especializada em saúde) to conduct negotiations with the Health Secretariat of the Federal District with a view to concluding the Citizen's Commitment.