Implementation of the national policy for the comprehensive healthcare of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transvestites and transsexuals (PNSI LGBT) in Paraná, Brazil

Abstract

The article addresses an urgent and relevant theme: the challenges and potentialities for the implementation of public health policies targeted at the LGBT population. We investigated the implementation of the National Policy for the Comprehensive Healthcare of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transvestites and Transsexuals (PNSI LGBT) in the State of Parana, Brazil, through four focus groups with 48 participants, in a qualitative approach. The groups were formed by professionals and managers of the Brazilian National Health System and of the Health Department of the State of Paraná, professionals with the intersectoral network, and representatives of LGBT social movements. Four analysis axes were established: the LGBT population’s access to comprehensive care; health promotion and surveillance actions; permanent health education and popular health education; monitoring and assessment of health actions. We concluded that there are gaps in the implementation of the policy in the three levels of the healthcare provided for the LGBT population.