The Court of Justice of Minas Gerais (TJMG) upheld on Monday (18) the decision requiring the Municipality of Belo Horizonte to restore the teams of the Mobile Emergency Care Service (Samu) — the city's ambulance service. The 2nd Civil Chamber of the court denied the municipality's appeal and extended the compliance deadline from five to 15 business days, according to Judge Mônica Aragão. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"O Tribunal de Justiça de Minas Gerais (TJMG) manteve nesta segunda-feira (18) a decisão que obriga a Prefeitura de Belo Horizonte (PBH) a recompor as equipes do Serviço de Atendimento Móvel de Urgência (Samu). A principal mudança foi a ampliação do prazo para cumprimento da medida, que passou para 15 dias úteis. A decisão foi tomada pela 2ª Câmara Cível do TJMG"
The decision maintains the requirement that Basic Support Units (USB) of Samu return to operating with one driver-paramedic and two nursing technicians or assistants in all ambulances — the model used before staff cuts implemented by the municipality in May. The public civil action was filed by the Public Prosecutor's Office of Minas Gerais (MPMG) after the municipal administration announced in April the dismissal of nursing technicians working in the service. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"Com isso, fica mantida a determinação para que as Unidades de Suporte Básico (USB) do Samu voltem a operar com um condutor-socorrista e dois técnicos ou auxiliares de Enfermagem em todas as ambulâncias."
According to the Municipal Health Department's statement to the press, in 2020 Samu teams received reinforcement of 33 professionals due to the Covid-19 pandemic, through a temporary emergency contract that ended on April 30, 2026. The municipality argued in its appeal that the reorganization followed technical parameters from the Ministry of Health and maintained Samu's operational structure, with 22 basic units, six advanced units and one intermediate unit. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"A Secretaria Municipal de Saúde (SMSA) informou que em 2020 as equipes que estavam sob gestão do Samu receberam o reforço de 33 profissionais em razão da pandemia da Covid-19, por meio de um contrato temporário e emergencial que encerrou no dia 30 de abril deste ano."
"A prefeitura argumentou no recurso que a reorganização seguiu parâmetros técnicos do Ministério da Saúde e manteve a estrutura operacional do Samu, com 22 unidades básicas, seis unidades avançadas e uma unidade intermediária."
The rapporteur judge understood that doubts still exist about the impacts of team reduction on service provided to the population. According to the magistrate cited by the press, the discussion involves not only the legality of the model adopted by the municipality, but the concrete effects of the change on Samu's functioning. The Municipal Attorney General's Office informed that it had not been notified of the decision and reaffirmed that "the reduction of some professionals on May 1st brought no impact to service provided to the population." ✓
Press quotes (2)
"Na decisão desta segunda, a magistrada entendeu que ainda existem dúvidas sobre os impactos da redução das equipes no atendimento prestado à população. Segundo a juíza, a discussão não envolve apenas a legalidade do modelo adotado pela PBH, mas os efeitos concretos da mudança no funcionamento do Samu em Belo Horizonte."
"A redução de alguns profissionais, em 1º de maio, não trouxe qualquer impacto no atendimento à população"
TJMG upheld decision requiring restoration of Samu teams and extended deadline to 15 business days
Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.
Covered by only some sources (1)
Temporary contracts of 33 professionals ended specifically on April 30, 2026
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What is the exact case number and detailed legal grounds of the decision?
Why it's still unknown: Attempt to obtain complete TJMG ruling failed: court portal requires real browser navigation not implemented in current system
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What is the concrete operational impact of dismissals - how many ambulances were taken out of operation and was response time affected?
Why it's still unknown: Sources did not present statistical data on services before and after May changes
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What specific doctrinal foundations were applied by Judge Mônica Aragão?
Why it's still unknown: Press did not detail legal tests or precedents cited in the decision