brazil is internationally recognized for the quality and care of its doctors - this became evident in the early 20^th century, with the valuable work of oswaldo cruz to combat the bubonic plague and prevent it from reaching rio de janeiro.

his work was not limited to this disease; cruz also helped regulate the spread of smallpox by proposing an obligatory vaccination- a suggestion that was at first wildly rejected by the majority of his peers and the public, only to be justified later, when a major smallpox epidemic created a rush en masse to the vaccination units.

cruz also eradicated yellow fever in pará, and did significant work in the state of amazonas to promote sanitation in the region. cruz did reach a level of prestige within his lifetime, receiving a gold medal in 1907 in recognition of his immensely powerful health work in rio de janeiro.