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Veracel increases action in the field of health - 02.03.04
AVeracel will provide funds to help the Luís Eduardo Magalhães Municipal Hospital, inaugurated January 30 in Itagimirim by Bahia Governor Paulo Souto and State Health Secretary José Antônio Rodrigues Alves. "It is not always possible to provide financial help for large health structures in the countryside. But it has been possible in this case thanks to Veracel's commitment to social responsibility, which will help maintain this hospital," the governor said. The initiative merges Veracel's actions to support public health improvements in the region.
The hospital has 12 beds - nine for adults and three for children - as well as an emergency area, operating room for small procedures, delivery room, labor room, operating center, pediatric area, X-ray room, sterilization room, clinical exam collection area, pharmacy, administrative offices, warehouse and laundry. Staff includes a general manager, a clinical director, 14 doctors, three nurses, 12 nurses aides, a nutritionist, a pharmacist and support personnel - nutrition assistants, food servers, general service workers, receptionists and drivers. Besides better service for the public, the hospital represents more jobs for the population. Of the approximately 45 new employees, 33 are residents of Itagimirim.
According to Veracel's President, Vitor Costa, the company will donate R$ 100,000 per month to the hospital, which is the equivalent of 80% of its operating costs. "Thereafter, for another three years, we will contribute 20% of its maintenance costs," he said after signing the cooperative agreement between the state government, the municipality and the company. "Without this contribution, we would not be able to make this hospital operate," said Governor Souto.
Alves emphasized the efforts of the government and private initiative for concluding the project. "The government has sought to guarantee regional health care and Veracel has a special commitment to this question in our state," he said. For his part, the mayor of Itagimirim, Giovanni Brillantino, said the inauguration of the hospital represented the fulfillment of a dream.
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Veracel's participation in the hospital's costs is part of a program to support the development of public health in the region that will benefit thousands of persons. Besides supporting improvements to physical infrastructure, the company, in partnership with the government the state and the mayors of the cities and towns, is setting up a wide ranging program to eradicate leprosy, especially in the communities closest to its future pulp mill.
In September 2002, through the Veracel Institute, the company donated equipment for an operating room and obstetrics center in the Joana Moura Municipal Maternity Hospital in Guaratinga and trained 46 community health agents in Guaratinga and Itapebi. In 2003, the company increased the number of health clinics and equipped them in Itapebi and the Rio do Sul district in Santa Cruz Cabrália.