Análise de implementação de políticas públicas para enfrentamento da pandemia de COVID-19 no Estado do Paraná.

Abstract

To analyze the implementation of public policies to combat Covid-19 and the resources applied for this purpose in the State of Paraná. Methods: This was an analytical, cross-sectional study, with a quantitative approach, carried out in Paraná from 2020 to 2024. Data collection was documentary, based on epidemiological bulletins from the State Department of Health, Transparency Portals, and Integrated Budget System and Union Planning. Simple descriptive analyses and representations of results were carried out using graphs, tables, and maps, constructed with QGIS software. The correlation among variables was analyzed using the Spearman test. Exploratory analysis of uni- and bivariate spatial data was carried out to detect the influence of the territory on the indicators, demonstrated through cartograms constructed using the GeoDa software. To define the best model for analyzing the listed variables, we used the Multiple Linear Regression, and the Best Subset Selection (BSS) test. Results: At the end of the evaluated period, health indicators showed improvement, especially regarding Covid-19 lethality. This improvement occurred while there was an increase in Vaccination Coverage in the locations evaluated. Actions carried out together were more effective. However, the results revealed that the implementation of measures, the distribution of beds and vaccination occurred unevenly within locations. An important influence of territory on the indicators was observed (significant spatial autocorrelation). In relation to resources, the exclusive resources to the pandemic allocated by the Union and the State of Paraná were lower than expected, compared to the total amount invested by the agencies. Among the main functions receiving financial support are Social Assistance, Health, and Education. Conclusions: The results of the study revealed the importance of implementing public policies in an organized and planned manner among different government entities, in addition to the adequate allocation of resources for these policies to be implemented. Brazil showed failures in national governance in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to heterogeneous actions and containment measures, compromising the progress of vaccination against COVID- 19. The lack of national governance affected the allocation of federal resources, undermining the effectiveness of the state of Paraná's response plan, especially in relation to health, which already presented weaknesses due to chronic underfunding. The study highlighted the importance of conducting a robust analysis of public policies to deal with emergencies of global importance and proposed to serve as an analysis tool for future high-profile crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.