Yes, universality is one of the principles of SUS. The SUS is based on three doctrinal principles: universality (any Brazilian citizen has the right to access health services in Brazil – this right is well stablished by the Federal Constitution, 1988), equity (aims to diminish health inequalities), and integrated care (regarding person-centred care) (Brazilian Ministry of Health, n.d.-b).

Potential barriers for universal access to health are geographical (related to distance and transportation costs to health care units), financial (the more expensive the services are, the less accessible they become), managerial (quality of personal, waiting lists etc.), and informational (related to education, self-perception of health etc.).

Access to health services is more problematic in some areas, such as riverside communities and in the countryside. Difficult access to these remote areas, in  addition to poor working conditions discourages health professionals to work in such places (Brazilian Society for Medical Clinic, 2019). As an attempt to overcome this barrier, the government developed strategies such as the fluvial family health strategies (where family health teams go to riverside communities by boat) to expand access in places like Amazonia. In addition, the National Policy for Primary Care expands the coverage of health services provision through the creation of UBSs (Basic Care Units) and emergency care units (UPAs) (Brazilian Ministry of Health, 2012). Access to health services is also problematic among indigenous people due to difficulties regarding geographical access, cultural aspects etc. Therefore, the Ministry of Health put together a specific unit responsible for delivering health services for indigenous people (Brazilian Ministry of Health, 2019p).

References:

Brazilian Ministry of Health. (2012). Política Nacional de Atenção Básica. http://189.28.128.100/dab/docs/publicacoes/geral/pnab.pdf

Brazilian Ministry of Health. (2019p, June 20). Secretaria Especial de Saúde Indígena. https://www.gov.br/saude/pt-br/assuntos/sesai_noticias/secretaria-da-sesai-acompanha-mutirao-na-casai-de-goiania

Brazilian Ministry of Health. (n.d.-b). Princípios do SUS. Retrieved December 3, 2019.

Brazilian Society for Medical Clinic. (2019). Médicos para as áreas remotas. Sociedade Brasileira de Clínica Médica. http://www.sbcm.org.br/v2/index.php/artigo/2802-medicos-para-as-areas-remotas-