SUS Task Force working in three northern states due to drought

The National Force of the Unified Health System (SUS) is visiting the states of Acre, Rondônia and Amazonas, which are suffering from the effects of fires and severe drought. They are collecting information on the capacity of the health network to respond to the populations most affected by climate impacts. The coordinator of the National Force SUS, Rodrigo Stabile, spoke on Tuesday (17) to the program Voice of Brazil About the survey developed by the Task Force, in collaboration with states and municipalities, on actions that can reduce suffering and restore access to health care for suffering populations.

Stabile said that 30 people are working in the three states, with specialists in the health care network, in emergencies and emergencies, in indigenous health and in the health of traditional peoples. “These professionals have the ability to understand the real dimension of the actions that can be developed and then assemble a team, according to the needs of a part of the state or a specific municipality, such as a field hospital to serve the population.”

The coordinator of the SUS National Force explained that these states are the most affected, and have already begun to isolate their populations, without water, health supplies or food. “Our stage is to prepare a mission that can include our people to ensure that this lack of assistance can be resumed.” Rodrigo Stabile also said that during the recovery from the environmental disaster that struck Rio Grande do Sul last May, the SUS National Force worked with 730 people to support the state’s recovery.

According to Stabile, the main problems facing residents of these three northern states are “acute respiratory infections, the main cause, as well as dehydration problems.” He explained that people close to the fires should protect themselves from smoke, which can cause respiratory burns.

The coordinator also said that all health problems related to drought or fires are being transferred to the health care network in these states with guidelines “so that we can have the best medical understanding of the major problems that arise because of this drought.”