The Ministry of Education (MEC) in Brazil has taken disciplinary action against the medical program at Afya Faculdade de Ciências Médicas de Santa Inês after it received an unsatisfactory score on the National Examination for Medical Formation (Enamed) for 2025. This action includes a reduction in the number of student places available and the suspension of new contracts associated with the Student Financing Fund (FIES). This move emphasizes the government’s commitment to maintaining educational standards in healthcare training.

The Enamed is an annual assessment conducted by the MEC through the National Institute for Educational Studies and Research Anísio Teixeira (Inep) to evaluate medical education in Brazil. The results of the first edition in January indicated that out of 351 assessed courses, 107 received scores of 1 or 2, bringing them under the threat of sanctions. In addition to Afya, three other medical programs — two from the University of Ceuma and one from the Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA) — are now facing supervisory processes due to their low ratings.

This situation raises concerns about the quality of medical education in Brazil and highlights the need for institutions to meet the necessary academic standards. The sanctions imposed by the MEC serve not only as a warning but also as a step to encourage improvement within the medical education sector across the country. As future doctors' education is crucial for public health, monitoring and evaluating these programs becomes imperative to ensure adequate healthcare services in Brazil.