Medical Schools in Southern Minas Gerais Score 4 on National Exam

Eight medical programs in the Southern Minas Gerais region were evaluated in the inaugural exam. None achieved the maximum score of 5, but the majority performed well. The standout performers, all with a score of 4, were:

• Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA)
• Universidade Federal de Alfenas (Unifal)
• Universidade do Vale do Sapucaí (Univás) in Pouso Alegre

These three institutions represent a mix of federal and private universities excelling in medical education standards.

Additionally, four programs received a score of 3, indicating a satisfactory level of quality. These include:

• Afya Faculdade de Medicina de Itajubá
• PUC Minas in Poços de Caldas
• Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais (UEMG) in Passos
• Universidade Professor Edson Antônio Velano (Unifenas)

One institution in the region did not meet the satisfactory threshold. Faculdade Atenas Passos received a score of 2, which is considered insufficient by the Ministry of Education. Schools with this rating are subject to specific penalties designed to enforce improvement.

The consequences for low-performing programs are structured and strict. According to the Ministry's guidelines:

• Programs with a score of 2 will face a reduction in the number of available enrollment slots.
• Programs with a score of 1 will have their enrollment of new students completely suspended.

This system ensures that institutions with unsatisfactory performance are held accountable for the quality of education they provide to future doctors.

The Enamed is an annual examination designed to measure student performance and the overall quality of medical teaching. The first exam was conducted in 2025, involving a massive nationwide effort.

According to the National Institute for Educational Studies and Research (Inep), approximately 89,000 students participated in the assessment. These students included those nearing the end of their medical degrees as well as students from other semesters.

Out of the 351 medical programs evaluated across Brazil, a significant portion—30%—received scores in the unsatisfactory range. A national trend analysis showed that the best results (scores 4 and 5) were concentrated in federal and state public universities. Conversely, the lowest scores (1 and 2) were most common in municipal public institutions and for-profit private universities.

The primary objective of the Enamed is not to punish but to foster improvement. The Ministry of Education views the exam as a vital tool for monitoring and elevating the standards of medical education throughout the country.

"It is a way for the institution to improve. It is an instrument so that we can make institutions correct themselves and have quality teaching. It is a form of monitoring with the sole objective of improving education,"

said Camilo Santana, the Minister of Education. His statement underscores the government's focus on using data to drive educational quality and ensure that medical graduates are well-prepared for their careers.

The release of the first Enamed results sets a new benchmark for medical education in Brazil. For Southern Minas Gerais, the data confirms that most local programs are on a solid footing, with three institutions recognized among the nation's better-performing schools.

However, the penalty imposed on Faculdade Atenas Passos signals a new era of accountability. As the exam becomes an annual fixture, institutions will be under continuous pressure to maintain or improve their scores, ultimately benefiting the future of healthcare in the region and beyond.