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“Day of the Spot” involves residents of the region - 06.02.05
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On June 1, in partnership with the government of the state of Bahia and the Belmonte city government Veracel organized “Day of the Spot” in Barrolândia, a district located 18 km from the pulp mill. The idea was to identify skin diseases, including leprosy. The event, also previously run in Belmonte itself, is part of the Veracel Health Program, which includes action to combat leprosy and tuberculosis in 11 municipalities in the region – the ten municipalities where Veracel has operations plus Santa Luzia.
The Day of the Spot activities are carried out in public squares, health clinics and hospitals. Besides the diagnosis of cases, the doctors and nurses involved in the campaign send patient’s for treatment have come out the same time, raising awareness of the local populations about leprosy, which is still common in the region. Sound cars and bicycles are used along with radio commercials, street banners and posters to encourage the population to participate in the campaign, which also has a support of local community health agents.
"This is a project that will bring positive results for everybody. It is clear that these results will only be felt over the medium and long term, but everything that is done to diminish the problems should be commemorated," said Antônio Marcos Nunes, administrative director of the Isabel Souto Hospital in Barrolândia. According to dermatologist Silvana Massot, the residents of the region are more aware of and involved in eradicating the disease. "Early diagnosis, as well as avoiding that other people catch the disease, makes it easier to treat, avoids complications and wards off physical incapacitation," she said.
On June 7, the Day of the Spot will be held in the village of Monte Alegre (Guaratinga). On June 8, the team will return to Barrolândia for another round of checkups. On June 21, it will be that turn of the district of Sarampo, on the border between Canavieiras and Santa Luzia.
The Veracel Health Program
Veracel Celulose is investing about R$ 6 million in its health project for the region. Besides combating leprosy and tuberculosis, a number of other actions are being conducted, aimed at improving public health. This includes the donation of ambulances, medical instruments, expansion and reform of hospitals, payment of manpower and medicines and the running of training classes for health professionals.
More than 30 of these professionals, coming from a number of different cities in the extreme south of Bahia, are beginning a training course in Hospital Administration and Health Management. The 180-hour course has classes in, among others, Health Service Quality Evaluation, General and Hospital Management and Information Systems. It is being taught on Saturdays and Sundays at the Engenheiro Marcelo Silva Guimarães Technical College (FatMSG) in Eunápolis.
Some 80 persons, including municipal health secretaries and public prosecutors, attended the opening class, taught by Itana Araújo, chief district attorney in Eunápolis. She noted that “health is everybody’s right” and recognized Veracel’s efforts to work together with government to improve public health in the region. “Today, I am quite satisfied because Veracel, through this project, is participating in efforts to promote citizenship,” she declared.