Rede urbana e saúde pública: reflexões e análises sobre a influência dos serviços hospitalares na centralidade de Caicó/RN

Abstract

The urban network of the northeastern semi-arid region is characterized by the development of a dependency relationship between the urban centers of lower centrality towards those of greater centrality. In this context, identifying the regional importance of the Potiguar Seridó and the relevance of the municipality of Caicó/RN within this region, it is questioned how hospital health flows directed to hospitals located in the aforementioned municipality interfere with its centrality and in its position in the Potiguar urban network, since the understanding of the geographical dynamics of the space directly affects public policies in Brazil. To answer this question, first, it was necessary to understand the historical process of formation of the Unified Health System (SUS) and how, appropriating of an expanded concept of health, it uses ideas from the geographic sciences to implement its principles and guidelines, which underpin the health regionalization process and the development of the Health Assistance Network (RAS). With this, in addition to understanding the role of hospital units within the Brazilian health system, this dissertation reflects on the historical process that resulted in the current state of health in Rio Grande do Norte. From this and the analysis of data provided by the National Register of Health Establishments (CNES) and by DATASUS, it was possible to identify that Caicó/RN, where the State Hospital Telecila Freitas Fontes and Hospital do Seridó are located, demonstrates a considerable level of centrality in the dynamics of hospital flows not only in relation to its Immediate Region, but in relation to the whole of Rio Grande do Norte, establishing itself, therefore, as a medium-sized city that can be strategically used in public health policies.