SOS Yanomami: volunteer applications for SUS National Force increase by more than 700%

Daniel Amorim – from Cenarium Magazine

MANAUS – After the repercussion of the humanitarian crisis in the Yanomami Indigenous Land (TI), in Roraima (RR), the number of volunteer health agents registered in the National Force of the Single Health System (SUS) increased by more than 700%. In December, there were 2,502 registered. Between Sunday, 22, and Monday, 23, more than 19.4 thousand professionals registered in the volunteer database.

The news was celebrated by the minister of Health, Nísia Trindade, in a post on Twitter. “The registrations for the SUS National Force have increased by more than 700%, showing the strength and solidarity of many health professionals who volunteer. I thank each one who has been donating to alleviate the suffering and save Yanomami lives”, he wrote.

“We have a permanent register of volunteers who can sign up at any time, but when a major tragedy or emergency happens, there is a greater mobilization. This is good, because we need a lot of people, not only for the demands, but for the teams that, normally, can stay between ten and 14 days”, explained Nilton Pereira Júnior, director of the Department of Hospital, Home, and Emergency Care (Dahu) at MS.

Doctors, nurses and other professionals will assist the federal government in restoring the indigenous people’s health conditions. On Monday, 23, the SUS National Force sent 12 professionals to Boa Vista, including doctors, pediatricians, emergency physicians, clinicians, and nurses, among others. The teams will work at the Indigenous Health Support House (Casai) and at the field hospital. The place is being set up by the Brazilian Army to reduce overcrowding at the Casai, a space dedicated to the reception of indigenous people.

According to the director of Dahu, professionals from the Army, the ministry’s departments, and the National Force are reinforcing the services. Júnior added that a survey will be done to stipulate the number and training of professionals to meet the demand.

Applications for volunteer work in the SUS National Force can be made in this link.