Maranhão

08/03/24

On March 1, the meeting took place at the Parque Botânico Vale São Luís, in São Luís, which brought together partners and representatives from 24 municipalities in Maranhão. The main objective of the event was to discuss partnerships aimed at expanding access to public health for vulnerable populations, as part of the “Health Social Protection Cycle” project. 

The “Health Cycle Program” project aims to strengthen Primary Care through the donation of equipment and furniture, in addition to the continued training of teams from the Basic Health Units (UBSs) and Social Assistance Reference Centers (CRAs) of the participating municipalities. This initiative benefits 396 UBSs and 55 CRAs, serving approximately 1.9 million people. 

The Vale Foundation, in partnership with Cedaps and the municipal health and social assistance departments, is responsible for the Health Cycle Program. The implementation of the program in Maranhão was carried out through the Together for Health Fund, a BNDES initiative managed by IDIS. Together with private donors, the objective is to gather resources to support and strengthen the Unified Health System (SUS) in the North and Northeast regions of Brazil. 

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Vale Foundation, Cedaps, BNDES, IDIS, Wheaton Precious Metals, CIM, UFMA and the 24 participating municipalities. During the event, the importance of intersectoral articulation and commitment to quality public health was emphasized. In addition, a conference led by Anna Tereza Miranda Soares de Moura, a physician and PhD in Collective Health, addressed the relevance of permanent education to strengthen public policies. 

The meeting ended a series of face-to-face activities held throughout the week in São Luís, including training workshops and technical meetings. Since December last year, more than 100 training workshops have been held, benefiting about 2,000 Primary Care professionals in Maranhão. The project covered the municipalities of Açailândia, Alto Alegre do Pindaré, Anajatuba, Arari, Bacabeira, Bom Jardim, Bom Jesus das Selvas, Buriticupu, Cidelândia, Igarapé do Meio, Itapecuru-Mirim, Itinga do Maranhão, Miranda do Norte, Monção, Pindaré Mirim, Santa Inês, Santa Rita, São Francisco do Brejão, São Pedro da Água Branca, Santa Luzia, Tufilândia, Vila Nova dos Martírios and Vitória do Mearim.