Cova discusses future of public health at G20, will hold meetings in 3,000 favelas to develop proposals by November | Rio de Janeiro

On Friday (26), the Central Única das Favelas (Cufa) organization participated in a debate on the future of public health alongside representatives of the Ministry of Health, Harvard University and the United Nations Program.

In the form of G20 in FavelasThis is the first time that a favela organization has been brought to the fore to discuss the health of those living in communities on an international scale.

COVA, the National Anti-Racism Front and the Parliamentary Front in Favela organized conferences in favelas in Brazil and abroad to discuss problems and seek solutions for the regions.

“The goal is to bring all the favela people to the big agencies. When we have an event like this in Rio, where the future of these people is discussed, These people need to be involved in these decisions and these solutions. “People from the favelas don’t go to conferences, so CUFA brings conferences to the favelas of Brazil,” explains Leticia Gabriela da Cruz Silva, G20 coordinator for favelas.

a inequality It is one of the main topics discussed by the authorities at the G20 – a fact that the poor neighbourhoods know.

Housewife Ingrid Batista is a mother of three children. Two boys have autism spectrum disorder and cannot access treatment in the public health network.

“I have been waiting for a pediatric neurologist and a speech therapist for a year and I have not received anything yet. I am now paying privately, about R$300. I cannot wait,” says Ingrid.

Health tends to be a primary concern for residents of slums and peripheral areas, who complain of a lack of infrastructure and professionals in hospital units, as well as delayed access to care.

a Physical and mental health Of these populations are also affected. lack of basic sanitation And by Unstable housing conditions.

There are many demands that should be raised to the G20.as Cova points out.

“The importance of discussing it is to highlight these inequalities that exist. The pandemic has been an example of this, as it has affected the public more than others, the people of this area, the people of the favelas, and bringing today to an event that gives light means thinking about concrete solutions, effective solutions and thinking about effective solutions means that we have the commitment to the agenda, the social and political will to make a difference,” says Leticia Gabriela, National Coordinator of the G20 in Favelas.

“So bringing these demands that the G20 is putting forward from the slums means bringing thinking about setting agendas and demands, and at the same time, thinking about concrete solutions. It is a real investment to change this situation,” he adds.

“The presence of the G20 in the slums is essential, just as the participation of slum dwellers in this agenda is essential. Not as a marketing piece, but with full listening. The presence of the G20 in the slums imposes the need to re-examine the importance of dialogues on demands such as: health, education, housing, reintegration of prisoners, freedom for practitioners of African religions and many other agendas that we receive from conferences across the country,” says Celso Athaide, founder of CUFA.

“It is also great because for the first time in history, slums are leading the G20. Finally, it is important to point out trends for a more inclusive and healthy tomorrow. Not only in Brazil, especially because we hold conferences in 41 countries where slums are present because we believe that if the problems are global, the solutions can be so,” he added.