A New Chapter for Public Health: Dr. Horacio Arruda Takes the Helm in Mauricie and Centre-du-Québec
In a strategic move to bolster regional healthcare, Natalie Petitclerc, President and CEO of Santé Québec Mauricie-et-Centre-du-Québec – Universitaire, has officially announced the appointment of Dr. Horacio Arruda as the Director of Public Health. This appointment, effective August 2, 2026, marks the beginning of a two-year mandate aimed at enhancing the protection and promotion of health across the region.
Having served in an interim capacity since October 2025, Dr. Arruda brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of leadership to this permanent role. His appointment is seen as a pivotal step in advancing an integrated approach to healthcare, bridging the gap between clinical teams and community partners.
A Career Defined by Crisis Management and Expertise
Dr. Horacio Arruda is not a stranger to the complexities of large-scale health management. A specialist in community health and preventive medicine with a doctorate from the Université de Sherbrooke, his career spans nearly 40 years of dedicated service to the Quebec population.
Throughout his tenure at the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Dr. Arruda has occupied several high-stakes positions, including National Director of Public Health and Assistant Deputy Minister. His expertise was forged in the heat of some of the most challenging sanitary crises in recent history, including:
- n
- The SARS outbreak (2003): Early experience in rapid response and containment.
- The H1N1 pandemic (2009): Managing global influenza threats on a local scale.
- The Lac-Mégantic tragedy (2013): Providing critical public health support during a regional disaster.
- The COVID-19 pandemic: Leading the province through unprecedented health challenges.
A Vision Rooted in Prevention and Health Equity
For Dr. Arruda, public health is about more than just responding to illness; it is about proactive prevention. In recent discussions, he emphasized that while life expectancy has increased, quality of life—specifically “healthy aging”—remains a critical challenge.
“Prevention begins even before birth,” asserts Dr. Arruda, highlighting the need for investment in health at every stage of life.
One of the primary pillars of his mandate will be addressing social inequalities in health. Dr. Arruda recognizes that factors such as unstable housing, economic stress, and disadvantaged environments directly impact life expectancy and disease prevalence. By collaborating with policymakers, he aims to dismantle the conditions that negatively affect the population’s well-being.
Integrating Health into Urban and Community Planning
The new Director of Public Health believes that health is built far beyond the walls of a clinic. To truly improve regional health, Dr. Arruda advocates for a “win-win” collaboration with municipalities, schools, and businesses. He points to urban planning as a powerful lever for health improvement:
- Safe Green Spaces: Encouraging walking and physical activity through better park design.
- Climate Adaptation: Reducing “heat islands” to protect vulnerable populations from rising temperatures.
- Community Engagement: Working with Indigenous communities and rural sectors to ensure equitable access to care.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), these social determinants are crucial for achieving health equity, a goal that aligns perfectly with Dr. Arruda’s strategic vision for the region.
A Commitment to the Region
Despite his national experience, Dr. Arruda’s decision to lead in Mauricie and Centre-du-Québec is personal. Having traversed the region for over two decades, he describes having “fallen in love” with its diverse landscape, which blends urban hubs with vast rural areas and rich Indigenous heritage.
By investing his time and expertise into this territory, Dr. Horacio Arruda aims to implement a long-term vision of health that is sustainable, inclusive, and deeply integrated into the daily lives of the citizens of Quebec.
