Public health in Brazil is always a topic of discussion. In general, long queues, difficulties in booking exams, unstable service, outdated equipment and staff shortages are the topics that appear in the headlines. But in Macaé, a city located within the state of Rio, things are changing for the better.
Two years ago, the city’s health was going through hard times: maintenance of the city’s main hospital, HPM, was late, equipment was outdated and there was a shortage of specialists. Today, the scenario is completely different.
The City Council has invested millions of riyals to equip public health and raise it to the level of excellence. The same hospital, which previously suffered from a lack of maintenance, is now receiving expansions and new sectors, such as the polytrauma, which was recently opened. High Complexity Secretary, Mayara Rezende, pointed out that multiple infections are the heart of the hospital, where each patient receives first care, and after stabilization, is referred to other sectors where he will continue treatment in the hospital.
“The entire structure, which has been renovated with new flooring, computers and monitoring equipment, will provide a more humane environment for both patients and hospital staff,” he said.
In the same hospital, another very important sector was opened and continues to operate. ProntoPEd, as it has been called, is a pediatric emergency room, which now has an exclusive structure to handle emergencies for pediatric patients.
This sector, in addition to its utmost importance, is completely humanitarian and seeks to be a welcoming place, at a precise time for families seeking services there. In addition to all the technical field and technological materials, the sector got a common space for the children to feel more welcome and come out better than they entered.
To ensure that people have access to prevention of health problems, the government invests a lot in primary care in the municipality. In the past month alone, 25 new health facilities have opened, providing access to a family doctor, vaccinations and referrals for more complex treatments.
A new popular pharmacy, a new reception for the Imbitiba emergency room, one of the city’s main clinics, and a center for caring for cancer and diabetics were also delivered. A new food and nutrition sector, which cares for children with special nutritional needs and distributes free nutritional formulas.
Thanks to this huge investment and the implementation of an “administrative shock” in departments including health, Mackay has made progress towards eliminating waiting lists for exams and surgeries. Two years ago, patients needing cataracts, estrus, tongue surgery, and dental care had to wait months, or even seek care in other cities.
Since last year, many efforts have come together to conduct dozens of surgeries, examinations and procedures daily, to eliminate queues.
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