The Implementation of Integrative and Complementary Health Practices in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Abstract

This study aims to describe the implementation of the Integrative and Complementary Health Practices (PICS) in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, located in the extreme south of Brazil. It uses the norms related to the National Policy of Integrative and Complementary Health Practices (PNPIC) and the State Policy of Integrative and Complementary Practices of Rio Grande do Sul (PEPIC / RS) in addition to other government documents and published papers reports on policies for describe this process that started in 2006 with the publication of the PNPIC. The main results include the standardization of twenty-nine PICS within the scope of Unified Health System (SUS) and the preparation of a manual for their implementation, in addition to the preparation of nine Technical Notes in Rio Grande do Sul as a way to encourage municipal managers to bid the PICS. There are still difficulties facing the dissemination and financing of these practices.