Public Health Emergency: Assessment of the political cycle in response to microcephaly associated with Zika virus in Pernambuco, Brazil

Abstract

Abstract Objectives: to evaluate the political cycle in response to the public health emergency due to microcephaly in Pernambuco. Methods: evaluative research, approach and the Modelo Teórico de Análise do Ciclo de Políticas (Theoretical Model of Political Cycle Analysis in the phases: agenda setting, policy formulation and decision making, used as theoretical categories. A total of 13 key informants were interviewed and the findings were triangulated based on document analysis. The theoretical categories studied were: unusual problem agenda setting, insufficient structure and crisis management; policy formulation – guideline development, research management and risk communication; Decision Making Investment Management, Definitions of Institutional Competencies and Investment in Surveillance and Assistance. Results: the microcephaly event entered the government agenda based on an agenda set up with well-defined problems. The formulation of the policy was based on technical-scientific parameters and incorporated critical issues such as the elaboration of regulations, structuring of services, research and media. The decision-making process was favored by the experience of the team and by the social and media pressure that provided the investment setting, especially directed to the structure of the services and the research performance. Conclusions: the response to the emergency related to microcephaly in Pernambuco occurred in a logical chained political cycle, intertwined and negotiated in all its phases.

Keywords

• Health evaluation
• Policy making
• Capacity to respond to emergencies Microcephaly
• Public health