Ministry of Health wants to vaccinate 130,000 indigenous people by May 12

The Ministry of Health began this Saturday (13) the Indigenous Peoples Vaccination Month . The proposal is to intensify immunization in indigenous territories, expanding vaccination coverage, especially in areas that are difficult to access. By May 12th, 992 villages and 130,000 indigenous people must be served by vaccination teams .

According to the ministry, the Month of Vaccination of Indigenous Peoples covers a total of 23 special indigenous health districts (DSEI) in all five regions of the country. 240,000 doses of immunization agents that make up the National Vaccination Calendar will be offered. More than 2,500 health workers are involved in the activity.

“Immunizing this public requires great effort as they live in areas with difficult land access, limited river access during dry periods and areas with strictly aerial access”, highlighted the ministry, in a note.

During an event in Aldeia Kuahi, in the Uaçá Indigenous Land, near Oiapoque, in Amapá, the Minister of Health, Nísia Trindade, signed a service order for the beginning of work on a basic indigenous health unit (UBSI) in Aldeia Espírito Holy. The ministry's forecast is that 708 people will benefit from the structure.

There are 19 families living there, which together total 85 residents. According to the folder, 2,700 routine doses will be offered throughout the day. After the event, the vaccines will be distributed to the base centers in Oiapoque. Another 1,140 doses against Covid-19 will also be distributed on site.

The other vaccines to be administered are BCG, yellow fever, triple viral (measles, rubella and mumps), pneumo 23, polio, chickenpox, diphtheria and tetanus, meningo ACWY, meningococcal C, oral polio, rotavirus, HPV, pentavalent, pneumo 10 and DTPA (for pregnant women).

“Other health services will be offered, in order to provide opportunities for entry into indigenous territory, by multidisciplinary teams and other professional categories. Oral health kits will be delivered and dental care will be provided; distribution of medicines; assistance with a physiotherapist, psychologist and social worker; rapid tests and slide reading for malaria (results available in 30 minutes); and guidelines on dengue,” he informed the ministry.

Internet

Also as part of the activities, it is planned to begin installing antennas in villages and indigenous health posts. In total, 12 locations will be provided with high-speed internet equipment: the Oiapoque Indigenous Health Center, the Polo Base Aramirã, the Polo Base Kumarumã, the Polo Base Manga, the Kunana Indigenous Health Post, the Indigenous Health Post Galiby, the Açaizal Indigenous Health Post, the Espírito Santo Indigenous Health Post, the Santa Izabel Indigenous Health Post, the Flexa Indigenous Health Post, the Estrela Indigenous Health Post and the Tukay Indigenous Health Post.

Cross-border laboratory

Nísia also signs a contract to create the Cross-Border Health Surveillance Center. The objective is to improve the monitoring and prevention of communicable diseases in the region between Amapá and French Guiana.

As a way of ensuring a prompt response in both countries, the ministry informed that the Border Laboratory will also be built, expanding the prevention and response capacity against outbreaks and epidemics, especially in the management of alerts regarding cases of dengue, malaria, Covid-19, flu, rubella, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

“In practice, every type of disease will be monitored and trigger specific actions in the border region, preventing it from spreading to the rest of the states in both countries. Furthermore, it will favor the exchange of strategic information, fundamental for the construction of an adequate and timely international policy for the prevention and control of diseases.”

Information from Agência Brasil