Brazil |
Amazonas State STD/HIV/AIDS Programme
Section 3: Healthcare and Poverty in Brazil
Poverty in Brazil
Poverty in Brazil has many facets. In the North of Brazil, where the Amazon River and rainforest provide a magnitude of fresh fish, fruit and other food staples, one would imagine that tables would be piled high with fresh fish, fruit and other food ingredients. However, this is far from reality. Brazil’s minimum wage is less than £100 per month and the majority of individuals employed by the local government receive this salary.
Because of the great distances between Amazonas and the rest of Brazil, prices of basic subsidies are grossly inflated. Meat, fish, fruits and vegetables are very expensive and clothes, shoes and household items even more so. This makes life difficult for a majority of residents in Itacoatiara.
Healthcare and poverty in Brazil
Healthcare services are provided free of charge by the Ministry of Health and medications are distributed for free as well. However, public health services are coupled with long lines and limited resources. The pharmacy, where medications are distributed freely, is rarely stocked with medications for every ailment. When the pharmacy lacks a certain medication, buying it can be difficult for some families. Many live on credit and are forced to live on payment plans, lasting up to 12 months.
One of the government’s National Programmes is the “Bolsa Familia”. This programme gives monthly incentives to families to keep their children in school. A family receives £ 10 per month per child that attends school.
In terms of medications, anyone can purchase over-the-counter and prescription medicine from any pharmacy with or without a prescription. The government offers free or discounted medication at the “Famacia Básica” and “Farmacia Popular” to anyone with a prescription.
Itacoatiara itself is equipped with water and electricity in every neighbourhood within the city limits. However, poor drainage systems and nightly blackouts leave many families susceptible to waterborne illnesses and pesky mosquitoes.
Healthcare services available before the project started
Before HIV testing, treatment and prevention was available in Itacoatiara, the only option was to access these services in Manaus, which is a four-hour bus ride away. Anyone wishing to take an HIV test was sent to a hospital in Manaus, where they had to wait 30 days for test results. Although no data exists concerning the incidence of HIV in Itacoatiara before the Municipal Coordination team began their work, it is likely that there were numerous PLWHAs living here. These individuals had to travel to Manaus to access treatment and support services.
Prevention efforts, such as campaigning or advertising were not available in the city before the formation of the Municipal DST/HIV/AIDS Coordination team.
Healthcare services after the project started
Through services provided at the VTC, the population in general has access to HIV testing, anti-retrovirals, prevention efforts and a wide range of information regarding STDs and HIV/AIDS. The VTC is easily accessible to the residents of Itacoatiara and PLWHAs have access to free transportation to and from Manaus when necessary.
Through Projeto Nascer in the hospital’s maternity ward, unborn children are benefiting from the efforts of the Municipal STD/HIV/AIDS Programme.Go to Section 4: Healthcare and the Millennium Development Goals
About the project
About the People
Healthcare and Poverty in Brazil
Healthcare and the Millennium Development Goals
