Rio de Janeiro (16 June 2014) - The federal government will help assisting the population of Natal (RN), which has been hit by heavy rains since last week. After the city government declared state of public emergency this Monday (16 June), the Ministry of Health decided to send kits with medicines and supplies sufficient to serve about 1,500 people for one month.

Each kit weighs 240 kg and contains 48 items (30 types of medicines and 18 first-aid supplies), including antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and bandages. The supplies should reach the city by this Tuesday (17). Natal is one of the 12 host cities of the World Cup. On Monday, the city hosts a match between Ghana and United States.  

In addition to providing medicines and supplies, the Ministry of Health also maintains daily contact with local and state authorities to monitor the situation and to assess the need to send or not health professionals linked to the National Force of the Brazilian Unified Healthcare System (FN-SUS). So far, however, municipal flood contingency plan with support from the state government is being used as guideline to conduct the current situation.  

Created in November 2011 to serve victims of natural disasters, public calamities, epidemiological risk scenarios and mass events, the National Force of the SUS (Brazil’s Unified Healthcare System) deploys teams in case of city/state lack of capacity to respond to incidents. Currently, the Force has 12,869 volunteers spread across the country. 

The National Force has support teams trained to assist in response to public health emergencies or in the management of mass events. Since its creation, the FN-SUS has deployed 23 missions, 11 of those to assist after natural disasters, seven to support local governments, four to provide support and assistance and one in response to a tragedy.  

To request support from the National Force of the SUS, city or state must declare state of emergency, state of calamity or state of lack of assistance. That triggers the step called "exploratory mission", when professionals go to the site, conduct a health care network assessment and check the need of equipment, supplies and extra human resources. 

The National Force also maintains nine modules for quick assembly of field hospitals. The modules are equipped with air conditioning, electric generator, sinks and satellite phones to be used where mobile signal is rare. The structure is used in case of public health emergencies, and to support response efforts in affected cities.

More info:
Ministry of Health
Press Service
+55 (61) 3315 3580 and +55 (61) 3315-2351/3989