David Almeida, the Mayor of Manaus, recently addressed the significant increase in the contract value between the city and the health operator Hapvida, attributing the rise to the growing number of city workers utilizing the health plan. This statement was made just before the opening of the 2026 legislative sessions at the Municipal Chamber of Manaus, where Almeida indicated that the contract amount escalated from R$ 45 million to R$ 119 million for the year 2026 due to adjustments in the electronic bidding process and the inclusion of addenda.

Almeida pointed out that the contract, which was originally set at approximately R$ 109 million after the bidding process, was intended to cover health services for about 32,000 city employees. However, the details surrounding the contract renegotiation raised questions, particularly since the mayor did not clarify why the value significantly increased after the bidding was completed. The new terms imply additional spending for the municipal budget and suggest possible implications for fiscal management.

The local government's decision to renew and increase the budget for the health service could have wider ramifications, including potential increases in service expectations among public servants. The contract’s significant value raises concerns regarding transparency and accountability in municipal spending, especially in light of the discrepancy between the originally allocated funds and the renewed agreement with Hapvida, prompting discussions on oversight in local governance and resource allocation.