A court in Rio Grande do Norte has mandated the blocking of R$ 3.7 million in state and municipal funds to ensure the financing of 27 scoliosis correction surgeries for children and teenagers up to 14 years old. This ruling comes from the 5th Public Treasury Court of Natal, following a lawsuit filed by the Public Ministry of RN. The decision dictates that the state government will cover 60% of the total while the city of Natal is responsible for the remaining 40%.

The freeze of funds was implemented due to previous failures to meet deadlines for conducting these procedures within the public health network. The Public Ministry expressed that the legal measure aims to address the needs of patients who have been waiting for their surgeries, highlighting the urgency given the potential for worsening of their conditions due to prolonged delays. The court's decision underscores the accountability of both the state and municipal governments in providing timely medical care to vulnerable populations.

As of the latest updates, media outlets like Inter TV have reached out to both municipal and state health secretaries, but no responses have been received regarding this ruling. The development raises significant implications for the public health system in Brazil, as it reveals the challenges faced in addressing healthcare access, particularly for essential surgical procedures affecting children and adolescents who are in critical need of treatment.