The Unimec Hospital in Vitória da Conquista, located in the southwest of Bahia, Brazil, has announced it will terminate its contract with the city's government, leading to the cessation of patient treatment under the Unified Health System (SUS) starting Saturday, the 28th. This decision is expected to significantly alter healthcare access for the local population, particularly as the hospital's emergency services handled nearly 28,000 SUS patients last year.

The immediate cause for the hospital's decision stems from claimed financial infeasibility and challenges in maintaining a qualified medical staff. In official communications, the hospital expressed the need for adjustments in compensation rates and suggested transitioning its emergency services from a 24-hour model to one limited to daytime operation. However, the Vitória da Conquista city hall has stated that increasing financial assistance, which has already surpassed R$ 5 million in 2025, is not feasible under current legal and budgetary constraints.

As this situation unfolds, the potential disruptions to local healthcare services raise concerns among residents about their access to emergency medical care and overall public health. With the hospital's decision, the city now faces the challenge of finding alternative arrangements to ensure continued healthcare provision for its citizens, particularly the vulnerable populations who rely heavily on SUS for medical needs.