The Minister of Health, Alexandre Padilha, criticized, on Monday (29), the imposition of restrictions on your visa by the United States government and also attacked policies considered “negotiations” in the health area. He could not participate in person in the event of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in Washington, which runs until Friday (October 3).
“We do not need restriction to authorities, nor blockages to countries. What we need is to restrict disease, such as the measles that spreads from North America,” he said.
Padilha participated for video conferencing of the 62nd Board of Directors of the entitywhich brings together the health authorities of the Americas. In his speech, he assured that the US decision will not restrict the circulation of Brazil’s ideas. “They can impose abusive tariffs, but they will not prevent our vocation for cooperation among the peoples of the Americas.”
“Negationism of leaders”
Padilha also criticized misinformation. “Nothing will prevent Brazil from acting from negationism. When negationism is driven by government leaders, we saw it in the covid-19 pandemic, thousands of lives and unity between nations are lost.”
Within this theme, the Brazilian minister emphasized the need for resources for research in the area of immunization. “Therefore, we need to act in the face of cuts in vaccination and research programs, a setback for science, a threat to life.”
Last month, Padilha had criticized Donald Trump’s government for restricting resources for vaccine research.
He said that Brazil intends to expand participation to ensure more accessible products including for all Americas. “We need to build bridges among US peoples, no barriers or walls. Unlike those who restrict us, we will continue to defend vaccines, science and public health systems.”
The minister pointed out that the country resumed the increase in vaccination coverage after six years of consecutive falls.
In another attack on scientific negationism, Padilha considered inadmissible that there are still positions that do not consider the impacts of climate change on life and health.
“We need to move together to adapt our health systems to environmental risks,” he said. He requested the participation of the international authorities at the 30th United Nations Conference on Climate Change, which will take place in November in Belém, to address the issue.
“Open Doors”
Padilha said it is necessary to maintain cooperation with institutions and companies from the Americas and the world for the production of vaccines and medicines in all technological platforms. He also summoned researchers and messenger RNA vaccine companies to work in Brazil.
“The doors of Brazil are open to science and innovation.” In the inside, Padilha took the opportunity to explain that the Federal Government doubled the Mais Médicos program, which ensured professionals in primary care “especially in the poorest regions”. According to him, this public policy, in partnership with PAHO, is approved “by those who matter”.
Another highlighted public policy in the speech was the now experts, which aims to reduce care lines in the Unified Health System (SUS) for consultations, exams and surgeries.
Also in the Brazilian level, Padilha recalled that Brazil handed the PAHs a report that highlights the reduction of the vertical transmission of HIV and also the decrease in 75% of the number of deaths caused by dengue this year.
