Saúde e Desenvolvimento regional/local: estudo a partir da distribuição espacial dos serviços de saúde e das compras hospitalares no APL de saúde de Natal

Abstract

This research aims to analyze how important is the Health Department for Rio Grande do Norte economy. The research hypothesizes there is a connexion between Economic Industrial Health Complex – CEIS and regional economy, considering there are lots of activities (goods and services) operated by this Complex. In case of Health Services it’s possible to affirm that purchases of good and services impact on general economy, and particularly on regional one. However, in Rio Grande do Norte, private and public hospitals, located into the health settlement from Natal, get little quantities of goods and services within the own state. The methodology includes bibliography research about health and development; a documentary research about space distribution of equipments, professionals, establishments and beds in Brazil, Northeast and Rio Grande do Norte; and an experiential research about local/regional purchases performed by private and public hospitals from Natal, aiming to identify where the materials/input and services providers are from. Results show there is an inter and intra regional concentration of establishments, equipments, beds and occupations favoring the Southeast region and some states in Northeast region, like Ceará, Pernambuco and Bahia. Concerning goods and services purchases performed by high complexity hospitals, located into the health settlement from Natal, local/regional economy impacts are confirmed, considering lots of activities are operated in that region. However, there are little quantities of goods and services purchased in Rio Grande do Norte.