Health Promotes Reception Service for the LGBTQIA+ Community – Rio de Janeiro City Hall

On the International LGBTQIA + Pride Day, celebrated on Wednesday (28/6), the Municipal Health Secretariat of Rio de Janeiro (SMS) emphasizes the importance of reception in municipal health units. The appointment aims to enhance visibility and raise awareness about equal basic rights. SMS invests in training professionals, offering specialist sensitive care training to this group.

One initiative, Project Rainbow, has emerged to encourage the creation of a welcoming environment for LGBT people. The procedure receives training from the Rio municipality’s Family and Community Medicine Residency Program (PRMFC), which trains residents and professionals working in primary care networks so they have the tools and skills to assist users. For Family and Community Physician Natasha Stephanie, also a PRMFC trainer, the initiative acts as a gateway and ensures access to healthcare in Rio’s public health system, which is a fundamental and fundamental right of the LGBTQIA+ community.

– After nearly a year of running the Arco-Iris project, we are following 40 people regularly. Understanding the idiosyncrasies of this population, and welcoming in a respectful manner regarding one’s gender identity, sexual orientation and preferred pronouns is what needs to be done at all levels of health in the SUS – said the doctor.

The project provides an opportunity for comprehensive care, mental health assessments, family and social issues, and exam requests, among other services. The initiative takes place every Thursday, from 8 am to 12 pm, at the Ancidio Dias da Silveira Family Clinic, located in Jacarezinho; And also on Fridays from 8 am to 12 noon, at the Clínica da Família Assis Valente, in Ilha do Governador. There are plans to extend the service to other areas of the city. According to Natasha, transgender, transvestite, and non-binary people are the people most present at the event.

Larissa Tereso, Supervising Undersecretary for Promotion, Primary Care and Health Control of the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro (SUBPAV), stresses the need to combat homophobia.

– LGBTQIA+ Pride Day is important for us to remember that we need to ensure respect for free sexual orientation and gender identity. In the field of health, we are interested in obtaining comprehensive care for all people, and contributing to building a society based on equality and free from prejudice.

It is also worth noting that the primary care units offer rapid check-ups for syphilis, hepatitis B and C and HIV. In addition, some family clinics also prescribe PEP and Prep (respectively medications when there is sexual exposure and at risk of HIV infection). It is necessary to open an ID registration to guarantee the benefits. To find the closest reference unit to your place of residence, access the platform where you will be assisted.