Piauí Hospital Named Among Brazil's Top 100 Public Facilities

The Hospital Estadual Dirceu Arcoverde (Heda) in Parnaíba has secured a prestigious position among the nation's elite public healthcare facilities. In a groundbreaking national survey, the hospital was named a finalist in the ranking of the 100 best public hospitals in Brazil, a distinction that places it at the forefront of public health excellence.

This recognition is particularly significant as Heda stands as the only hospital from the state of Piauí to be selected for this exclusive list. The achievement reflects a concerted effort to elevate the standards of public healthcare and showcases the potential for quality medical services within the Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS).

The comprehensive study was conducted by the Instituto Brasileiro das Organizações Sociais de Saúde (Ibross), marking the first time such a ranking has been attempted on this scale. The research was developed through a significant partnership involving the Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde (OPAS), the Instituto Ética Saúde (IES), the Conselho Nacional de Secretários de Saúde (Conass), and the Conselho Nacional de Secretarias Municipais de Saúde (Conasems).

The survey cast a wide net to identify the country's leading public institutions. The evaluation focused on a specific set of criteria to ensure a fair and comprehensive assessment. Key metrics included:

• Hospital accreditation status
• Occupancy and mortality rates
• Availability of ICU beds
• Average patient length of stay
• Indicators of efficiency and user satisfaction

Eligible hospitals were required to be public facilities (federal, state, or municipal) operating exclusively within the SUS framework. They needed to have more than 50 beds and registered production in the Hospital Information System (SIH) between August 2024 and July 2025. The study excluded psychiatric and long-stay hospitals.

The hospital's leadership views this recognition as a testament to their daily commitment and the state's investment in healthcare infrastructure. Wal França, the General Director of Heda, emphasized the collective nature of this success.

“This result reinforces the daily commitment of the entire team with humanized, safe, and quality assistance for the population.”

Similarly, Carlos Teixeira, the Technical Director, highlighted the broader implications for public health in the region.

“Being among the 100 best public hospitals in Brazil demonstrates that it is possible to offer excellence in the SUS through qualified management, technical responsibility, and a focus on the patient.”

These statements underscore the hospital's focus on quality indicators, efficient management, and a steadfast commitment to providing 100% of its services through the public health system.

The achievement is also seen as a validation of the state government's ongoing strategy to strengthen Piauí's health network. Antonio Luiz, the State Secretary of Health, pointed to sustained investment as a key factor in the hospital's success.

“Since the beginning of the management, the State Government, through the Health Secretariat, has been carrying out investments to improve our state health network, whether in the structural scope or in equipment and services. The recognition of Heda shows the results of this work, which has been bringing more quality to the healthcare of the people of Piauí.”

This sentiment is shared by Dirceu Campelo, the Superintendent of Management for the Medium and High Complexity Network of Sesapi. He acknowledged the importance of the recognition while looking toward the future.

“We have the recognition of the service of one of our reference hospitals for our network, and now we must continue the work to further improve the quality of services at Heda and our other units.”

The selection of 100 hospitals provides a fascinating snapshot of public health infrastructure across Brazil. The distribution highlights strong representation from several states, with Pará and Santa Catarina leading at 7% each, followed by Pernambuco and Rio de Janeiro at 6%, and Paraná at 5%.

Piauí's 1% share, represented solely by Heda, underscores the exclusivity of this honor. The process is far from over, however. The initiative is now moving into its next phase, with a refined selection process to determine the top 10 public hospitals in the country. These final rankings are scheduled to be announced in May during the Prêmio Melhores Hospitais Públicos do Brasil.

The project's founder, Dr. Renilson Rehem, a public health physician and former president of Ibross, summarized the ultimate goal of the award.

“With this award, we seek to recognize and publicize the best practices in management and healthcare assistance in the country's public hospital network, promoting the continuous improvement of the quality and efficiency of services provided to the population.”

The inclusion of Hospital Estadual Dirceu Arcoverde in this national ranking is more than just an accolade; it is a powerful statement about the capabilities of the public health system in Piauí. It serves as a benchmark for other institutions and a source of pride for the local community.

As the hospital awaits the final top 10 announcement in May, it continues its mission to provide excellent care. This recognition reinforces that with strategic investment, dedicated leadership, and a committed team, achieving high standards in public healthcare is not just a goal, but a reality.