The formation of a new medical organization in Brazil, the Ordem Médica Brasileira (OMB), in 2024, has ignited a significant legal confrontation with the existing Associação Médica Brasileira (AMB). The OMB, led by its president Lúcio Monte Alto, claims to offer an alternative to the AMB's monopoly on the certification of medical specialists, raising questions about the legality of AMB's long-held authority. The AMB maintains that its exclusive right to certify specialists is backed by a 2015 federal decree, and it has expressed intentions to contest OMB's legitimacy in court.

In light of growing medical training and the recent outcomes of the first Exame Nacional de Avaliação da Formação Médica (Enamed), where one-third of medical graduates scored below the acceptable proficiency level, the OMB's plans to commence certification exams before the end of the year raise concerns. The push from the new organization reflects an urgent need for reform in medical training and oversight in Brazil, emphasizing the importance of adequately prepared specialists in a health system already strained by demand.

This conflict not only highlights the internal divisions within Brazil's medical community but also underscores broader implications for healthcare standards and regulations in the country. As the OMB aims to implement its certification process, the resolution of this dispute may significantly impact the future of medical education and the quality of care provided to patients in Brazil, necessitating close observation from both practitioners and policymakers alike.