PRIMARY HEALTH CARE AND COVID-19: CHALLENGES FOR UNIVERSITIES, HEALTH WORKERS AND MANAGERS

Abstract

Objective: to describe the experience of the primary health care support group of the Nursing Committee to Combat COVID-19 in a capital of northeastern Brazil. Method: collection of information in health units about physical structure, action plans, care flows and workforce, between March and May 2020. Results: problems identified in 46 units, such as: weaknesses in health surveillance; physical structure to assist users with and without respiratory symptoms; inadequacy of personal protective equipment; removal of professionals infected with SARS-CoV-2; insufficient capacity building for the demands. The following were made available to the units: technical-scientific support materials, virtual spaces of debates, referral of labor demands, materials to adapt routines of services and recommendations for higher instance of municipal health management. Final considerations: precarious conditions of Primary Health Care imply the disorganization of adequate response in times of health emergencies.