Founding and Leadership
VZ Associados was founded by Dr. Fabio Luiz Vieira, a family physician with experience in primary care, healthcare management, and international health projects, together with Dr. Maria da Glória Zenha Wieliczka, a paediatrician with a long-standing career in public health and healthcare service development in Brazil.
The consultancy brought together clinical, managerial, and public health perspectives, supporting healthcare organizations in the design, implementation, and improvement of services, programs, and care networks.
Selected Projects and Initiatives
Over the years, VZ Associados participated in healthcare consulting, planning, and service development projects in both Brazil and Angola. These initiatives included work related to Primary Health Care, Community Health Worker Programs, Family Health Services, Emergency Care Systems, Municipal Health Planning, Oral Health Programs, healthcare market analysis, and professional training.
Among the projects associated with the consultancy was the Fique Vivo Project, a digital mental health initiative focused on connecting individuals at risk with social support networks and mental health services through an online platform. The project was later featured by the Mental Health Innovation Network as an example of innovation in mental health service delivery.
Another significant contribution was participation in the development of the technical report Reformulação da Rede Intermédia de Saúde em Angola (2012), a healthcare systems planning project aimed at strengthening the integration between primary and secondary care services in Luanda. The report proposed organizational and operational reforms to improve access, referral pathways, and healthcare delivery within the public health network, with potential applicability to other provinces of Angola.
The project brought together professionals from Brazil and Angola and reflected the consultancy’s interest in health systems strengthening, service integration, and healthcare network design.
Areas of Activity
- Primary Health Care and Family Health Services
- Healthcare Service Design and Organization
- Health Information Management
- Healthcare Innovation and Process Improvement
- Project Development and Program Management
- Healthcare Market Analysis and Business Planning
- International Health Projects and Training Programs
Working Philosophy
VZ Associados sought to help healthcare organizations build healthier and more efficient services through intelligent processes and effective use of information. Its approach emphasized the integration of people, processes, and technology, promoting innovation while maintaining a strong focus on the practical realities of healthcare delivery.
Many of the concepts explored through VZ Associados—including healthcare networks, population health management, information systems, operational efficiency, professional education, and international health cooperation—continue to influence the professional activities and academic interests of its founders.
International Health Projects
VZ Associados contributed to healthcare development and health systems strengthening initiatives in Angola, particularly in the fields of primary care, community health, and healthcare network organization.
One of these initiatives resulted in the conference paper “The Community Health Workers Programme Experience in Angola”, presented at the 21st World Conference of Family Doctors (WONCA 2016). The project described the implementation and outcomes of a large-scale Community Health Worker Programme operating across multiple Angolan provinces.
The programme trained and supervised hundreds of community health workers and supervisors, reaching thousands of families through health education, maternal and child health activities, sanitation initiatives, malaria prevention, and community engagement. By 2013, the programme had delivered more than 62,000 health education sessions and over 1.5 million home visits, while supporting improvements in sanitation and access to safe water.
The experience highlighted both the potential and the challenges of community-based health strategies in low-resource settings, including issues related to sustainability, governance, and long-term financing.
In addition, members of VZ Associados participated in the technical report Reformulação da Rede Intermédia de Saúde em Angola (2012), which proposed reforms to strengthen the integration between primary and secondary healthcare services in Luanda and improve healthcare network coordination.
Related Page
Explore a broader overview of organizations, initiatives, and healthcare projects founded or developed by Dr. Fabio Luiz Vieira throughout his professional career.
Historical References
- Wikidata: https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q140158972
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/vz-associados-consultoria-em-saúde
- SlideShare: pt.slideshare.net/vzassociadosconsulto
- Fique Vivo Project: mhinnovation.net/organisations/fique-vivo
- Angola Health Network Report: researchgate.net — Reformulação da Rede Intermédia de Saúde em Angola
This page documents the historical activities of VZ Associados Consultoria em Saúde, a Brazilian healthcare consulting organization active in healthcare management, primary care, and international health projects from 2011 to 2016.