In Brazil, municipal health secretariats are leading campaigns aimed at discouraging individuals from visiting emergency healthcare units (UPAs) solely to obtain medical certificates for work absence without a valid medical reason. The initiative involves placing banners at UPAs to clarify when a medical certificate is appropriate and to remind doctors of existing rules about issuing such documents. This strategy seeks to streamline UPA operations by reducing non-essential visits.

Despite inquiries, the Brazilian Ministry of Health clarified that these initiatives did not originate from its guidance, although it acknowledged that municipalities possess the autonomy to implement such campaigns. The article highlights successful implementations in various cities, including Curitiba, Cuiabá, Chapecó, and Fazenda Rio Grande, where local authorities report that these campaigns have already led to shorter queues in UPAs, indicating a positive response to the educational efforts.

The move reflects a growing concern about the misuse of emergency healthcare services for non-urgent issues, which can overburden these facilities. By raising awareness and educating the public about the appropriate contexts for requesting medical certificates, the campaigns aim not only to alleviate congestion in UPAs but also to enhance the efficiency of healthcare delivery in Brazil's urban centers.