The relationship between Jundiaí City Hall and São Vicente Hospital has grown tense after the municipal administration demanded greater transparency in the institution’s financial reporting. The hospital refuted the claims, asserting that it already provides all required information and accusing the city of adopting an imposing stance in negotiations.
The dispute became public on Tuesday night (28) when City Hall addressed the issue in a live broadcast, and escalated on Wednesday (29) with an official statement from the hospital, highlighting disagreements over the current contract and the continuity of healthcare services in the city.
City Hall states that since the beginning of the year, it has requested detailed documentation on the hospital’s operational costs to assess a request for a contract adjustment, which currently stands at R$4.5 million per month. According to the municipal administration, the hospital has requested a 22.33% increase, raising the total to R$5.5 million, but the submitted figures do not justify such an adjustment.
“As soon as we took office, we requested the necessary documents to understand the needs of São Vicente Hospital and find the best solutions. We have been committed to handling the negotiations in a technical and transparent manner, always prioritizing the public interest,” said Mayor Gustavo Martinelli.
The hospital disputes City Hall’s claims, asserting that all required information has been provided to the municipal administration and regulatory bodies, including the São Paulo State Court of Auditors and the Ministry of Health. The institution argues that the requested increase reflects the growing demand for services and inflation in the healthcare sector.
“The institution informs that only on Tuesday (28) did the UGPS (Health Promotion Management Unit) send an official request, giving an extremely short deadline for a response and making unnecessary threats, with all due respect, against an institution that has maintained and fulfilled its partnership with the Municipality of Jundiaí for many years,” the hospital’s statement read.
City Hall maintains that, even without a new agreement, healthcare services will not be interrupted. According to Health Promotion Secretary Adolfo Martin, if the hospital does not accept the proposed terms, it is contractually obligated to continue services for up to 90 days while a solution is sought.
“Our commitment is to ensure that the population continues to receive high-quality care. We are dedicated to finding solutions that meet everyone’s needs while acting responsibly and within the law,” Martin said.
São Vicente Hospital emphasizes that its role extends beyond managing the Central, Hortolândia, and Retiro emergency units, covering high-complexity services such as oncology, cardiology, and neurosurgery. The institution claims that the volume of patient care exceeds the contract’s stipulated levels, reaching 139,000 monthly visits—63.5% above the agreed-upon target—justifying the need for financial rebalancing.
Another point of contention is the inclusion of a clause requiring the city to cover severance costs in case of contract termination. The hospital argues that, as a philanthropic institution, it lacks the financial resources to shoulder such expenses.
The Jundiaí City Council has also intervened in the debate. Council President Edicarlos Vieira (União Brasil) stated that lawmakers would closely monitor the negotiations and conduct a detailed review of municipal funds allocated to the hospital.
“The council will conduct a thorough investigation and formally request oversight of the hospital’s funding. Our goal is to ensure that every real is spent efficiently and responsibly for the benefit of the population,” he said.
City Hall insists that its priority is to guarantee uninterrupted healthcare services while ensuring transparency in public spending. The hospital, meanwhile, reaffirms its commitment to ethics and high-quality care but calls for a more balanced dialogue with the administration.
The standoff remains unresolved, and further meetings are expected in the coming days to reach an agreement. Meanwhile, both City Hall and the hospital assure that patient care will continue as usual.