Analysis of the impact of policy responses to COVID-19 and the current scenario on surgical treatment of cleft lip and palate in Brazil

• Grant number: 22/09414-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2022
• End date: September 30, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Surgery
• Principal Investigator: Nivaldo Alonso
• Grantee: Marcelo Arruda Candido
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, public policies were taken to control the spread of the disease. These measures had a negative impact on access to a series of medical services around the world, especially elective surgeries. Currently, with the relaxation of health measures, medical care is being reestablished. This study will aim to investigate the impact of restrictive measures during the pandemic and the resumption of services on the context of surgical treatment to correct cleft lip and palate in the public health system in Brazil. During the COVID-19 pandemic, public policies were taken to control the spread of the disease. These measures had a negative impact on access to a series of medical services around the world, especially elective surgeries. Currently, with the relaxation of health measures, medical care is being reestablished. This study will aim to investigate the general impact of restrictive measures during the pandemic and with the resumption of services in the context of surgical treatment to correct cleft lip and palate in thepublic health system in Brazil. For this, we will analyze data from the historical series on the performance of these procedures by Brazilian public hospitals, in order to estimate the damage in relation to the execution of these operations in the pandemic, as well as to evaluate the current flow of procedures performed. It is expected that the study can provide substrates for the formulation of specific public policies to meet the repressed demand for these elective surgeries.