Check out the full statement:
my friends and my friends,
Good afternoon
The World Health Organization announced on May 5 that the COVID-19 pandemic is no longer a public health emergency of international concern. After passing through this painful period, our country receives this news with hope.
We are still living with Covid-19, which continues to evolve and is subject to many mutations, but for more than a year we have had a predominance of the omicron variant and its sub-lineages all over the world, without a deterioration in the health situation.
We have a gradual decrease in the number of hospitalizations and deaths, as a result of protecting the population with vaccines.
In this scenario, it is understood that the moment refers to the transition from an emergency situation to a continuous confrontation, as part of the prevention and control of infectious diseases.
SARS-COV2 infections will continue and we must remain vigilant. Therefore, surveillance, diagnosis, care and vaccination systems must be strengthened.
Alert: It’s time to ramp up vaccination: Hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 are occurring mainly in individuals who have not received the recommended vaccine doses.
For this reason, the Ministry of Health, together with the states and municipalities, has been carrying out a national movement for Covid-19 booster vaccination since February.
This is the most effective and safest way to protect our residents. We need to unite in health, in defense of life.
There have been many obstacles throughout this pandemic.
The worst effect was the loss of many lives and the knowledge that many more could have been saved.
Unfortunately, in Brazil we have lost more than 700 thousand people. 2.7% of the world’s population lives in our country, but we have 11% of all deaths!!!
The result could have been another if, throughout the pandemic, the previous government had respected the recommendations of science. If the ruler’s obligations to protect the country’s population are adhered to and fulfilled.
We can’t forget! We need to preserve this memory of what happened in order to build a decent future.
At this moment, I want to thank everyone who has fought in defense of our community. They risk their lives, especially before vaccines are developed.
And if vaccines are responsible for saving lives, then we must thank the scientists and laboratories that developed and produced them. Special thanks for the role played in Brazil by Instituto Butantan, Fiocruz and Anvisa. Even with the dismantling of science and technology, our universities and research institutes have spared no effort in looking for solutions. We should also thank the governors and mayors who have not drifted into denial and have contributed decisively to the response to the pandemic. As well as the civil society that participated in this process.
Despite denials, attacks on science, and neglectful politics, many lives have been saved because of SUS and the unlimited efforts of health workers. I thank them on my behalf and on behalf of President Lula, who from the first day of our government has dedicated himself to the policy of care and the promotion of SUS.
It is also time to learn the lessons of this pandemic. To strengthen the Unified Health System, the largest comprehensive health system in the world. To prepare ourselves with consistent programs to face future epidemics and health emergencies. To enhance our scientific and technological capacity and overcome social inequalities, which cause the epidemic to disproportionately affect those in a more vulnerable social position.
It is time, above all, to appreciate life, health and democratic culture.
Let us work together, government, health workers, the scientific community and society at large to preserve life and improve conditions for disease prevention and health promotion. Not to live the terrible days of the recent past again and build a better future.
Good night and good week.
