In response to the climate tragedy faced by the states of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina, the Ministry of Health established, on Saturday (4), the Emergency Operations Center (COE) for heavy rains and floods in the region. During the first meeting of the Council of Excellence, coordinated by the Minister of Health Nicia Trindade, the scenario of municipalities after being affected by heavy rains was analyzed, and public health measures to respond to emergency situations were discussed.
“The current moment is to save lives, and the Center of Excellence is an important decision-making movement that will be implemented in the region in order to revitalize the health system and serve the population,” Minister of Health Nicia Trindade stressed.
As emergency operations begin, the goal is to organize, coordinate and monitor the measures to be used during procedures and assistance plans. The Center of Excellence also coordinates with the state and municipal directors of the Unified Health System (SUS) and with other bodies and entities affiliated with the public authority to take the necessary and rapid measures to confront the emergency, such as sending teams and supplies, preparing technical reports on epidemiological cases and assistance, in addition to carrying out the necessary administrative procedures.
Last Thursday (2) the Ministry of Health confirmed the mobilization of 60 specialists from the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA) and the Hospital Group Conceição (GhC), who will provide assistance to the residents of Rio Grande do Sul. Teams from the SUS National Force have also arrived in the state to reinforce healthcare. To help assist the victims, a field hospital affiliated with the Ministry of Health will be established on the island of Kanoa (RS), which will begin providing services on Sunday (5).
In addition, 20 emergency kits were sent, consisting of 32 types of medicines and 16 types of supplies such as gloves, syringes, bandages, etc., sufficient to serve 30,000 people for a month. However, due to the closure of Porto Alegre airport, only 10 groups have arrived in the capital of Rio Grande do Sul, and another 10 groups are being sent by land.
On Friday (3), the Ministry also authorized the payment of approximately R$ 540 million in parliamentary amendments to the state of Rio Grande do Sul. This transfer comes as a result of the Ministry’s efforts, in partnership with the Secretariat of Institutional Relations (SRI), to support and provide assistance to municipalities affected by the climate tragedy.
More measures taken by the Ministry of Health
- Deploying 10 assistant specialists specialized in air medical transport;
- Coordination of the PRF air medical service with SAMU;
- Support from distinguished hospitals (Muinhos de Viento, Einstein, Serio-Lebanese, HCor, Beneficência Portuguesa, Alemão Oswaldo Cruz Hospital), with supplies, medicines and specialized professionals;
- Launching emergency resources for primary and specialized care and health surveillance for the state and all municipalities;
- Prioritizing ordinances with other state requirements that were under analysis (MAC ceiling and service qualifications);
- Coordinating with the state Department of Health, municipal health departments and hospitals with the aim of avoiding shortages and enhancing support to affected hospitals;
Ministry of Health
