The Brazilian Supreme Court (STF) has ruled that the Ministry of Education (MEC) possesses the authority to regulate the opening of medical courses and new educational slots through official announcements, in accordance with the Mais Médicos Law. This decision emerged from the analysis of a Direct Action of Unconstitutionality (ADI) and was published in the official government gazette on Wednesday, marking a significant step in Brazil's medical education landscape.

The ADI was initiated by the Council of Rectors of Brazilian Universities (Crub) and the Brazilian Association of Community Higher Education Institutions (Abruc), challenging parts of the law that govern the establishment of medical programs in private educational institutions. Previously, a federal announcement anticipated the addition of 5,900 new spots for medical courses offered by private universities. However, the MEC withdrew this announcement following the release of results from the first edition of the National Examination for Medical Training Evaluation (Enamed), signaling ongoing shifts in regulatory practices and educational policy.

As the decision empowers the MEC to influence the availability of medical education, it raises questions about the quality and accessibility of medical training in Brazil. The assumption of regulatory power by the MEC could lead to increased scrutiny of how medical courses are established and conducted, potentially impacting future healthcare workforce planning and education standards across the nation.