DEPLOYMENT OF BRAZIL TELEHEALTH NETWORKS PROGRAM IN THE STATE OF MARANHÃO (BRAZIL)

Introduction:
The Programa Telessaúde Brasil Redes (Brazil Telehealth Networks Programme) is an initiative of the Ministry of Health with the aim of contributing to the quality of health service in the Sistema Único de Saúde - SUS - (Unique Health System), training and integrating workers and health professionals through the use of technologies and infrastructure of computers and telecommunication to promote Telecare, Second Formative Opinion, Remote Diagnostics and Tele-education.

Objective:
Describe the implementation of the Brazil Telehealth Networks Programme in the State of Maranhão.

Methods:
This is a descriptive study, case report, from the lived experience in the deployment of the Brazil Telehealth Networks Programme in the State of Maranhão, conducted by the Scientific-Technical Center in the University Hospital of the Federal University of Maranhão. The information was collected in the database related to the activities of the Center, as well as the personal statements of the authors' participation in the process of deployment.

Results:
In 2012, the University Hospital of the Federal University of Maranhão submitted the Project "Deploying of Brazil Telehealth Networks Programme in the state of Maranhão" of the Ministry of Health, through Secretaria de Gestão do Trabalho e da Educação na Saúde – SGTES – (Management Secretariat of Labor and Health Education). The project had its approval in November 2012, when it was contemplated to be the Scientific-Technical Center of the Brazil Telehealth Networks Programme in the State of Maranhão. In January 2013, the Núcleo Técnico-científico do Hospital Universitário da Universidade Federal do Maranhão – NTS-HUUFMA (Scientific-Technical Center in University Hospital of the Federal University of Maranhão) started the activities for the implementation of the Project, preparing your staff through training workshops and training, participation in conferences and seminars and accomplishments of courses. Seven (07) training workshops and eleven (11) trainings were conducted. The Center has taken part, until now, of two (02) courses offered by the Rede Nacional de Pesquisa - RNP - (National Research Network), one (01) conference and one (01) seminar about the theme. The Center promoted the 1st Training Course for Tele-Regulator and Tele-Consultants in partnership with the Scientific-Technical Center of Rio Grande do Sul. In the State, it already had five (05) Municipal Centers of Telehealth (Bacabal, Mata Roma, Pedreiras, Peritoró and Santa Inês) financed, in 2011, by the Departamento de Ações Básicas - DAB – (Department of Basic Actions) of Ministry of Health. All at different stages of implementation, but none of them deployed. The NTS-HUUFMA along with the Center of Rio Grande do Sul, began to support the inter-municipal centers through training for the use of Telehealth Brazil Networks Platform as well as answering the demands of Tele-Consultations originated in these centers. Currently the NTS-HUUFMA is already in full operation, providing assistance and technical support for the Inter-municipal centers, funded by DAB, which joined the partnership.

Conclusion:
The implementation of the Brazil Telehealth Networks Programme in the State of Maranhão is being made possible by the NTS-HUUFMA without major difficulties, following the plan of actions proposed in the project.