THE Federal Public Ministry (MPF) and the Public Defender’s Offices of the Union (DPU) and the state of Rio de Janeiro (DPRJ) forwarded it to the government of Rio de Janeiro and the city hall from the capital of Rio de Janeiro a request for adopt urgent recommendations to combat the heat wave of recent days.
The letter signed on Friday night (26) deals with “the adoption of urgent, coordinated and intersectoral measures to protect vulnerable groups in extreme heat scenarios”.
The document was sent to governor Cláudio Castro, mayor Eduardo Paes and secretaries, such as those from the Health department, both at the municipal and state levels.
The letter points out that high temperatures pose a risk to the health and physical integrity of the population, “especially groups with greater social and clinical vulnerability”.
Among the health impacts, bodies cite “dehydration, exacerbation of chronic diseases, heatstroke, thermal exhaustion and, in extreme cases, heatstroke, which has a high mortality rate”.
MPF and the Defenders highlight that the effects of extreme heat are felt unequally, “disproportionately affecting historically marginalized and socially vulnerable populations”.
Heat wave
Since the afternoon of Christmas Eve (24), the The city of Rio de Janeiro is in heat stage 3on a scale that goes up to 5. At level 3, there is record of high heat indexes (36°C to 40°C)expected to remain or increase for at least three consecutive days.
On the 25th, the thermometers registered 40.1°C, a record for the month. For this Saturday (27), the forecast from Alerta Rio, the Rio de Janeiro city hall’s meteorology system, is a maximum temperature of 38°C.
On Sunday (28) it should reach 40°C. Relief with rain only from Monday (29), but still with temperatures close to 40°C.
THE Excessive heat has sent hundreds of people to health facilities. According to the Rio Municipal Health Department, the emergency network recorded an average of 450 visits per day.
The most common cases possibly related to heat are dizziness, weakness and fainting, as well as sunburn.
At the state level, the government alerted all 92 municipalities to the dangers of excessive heat.
Hot weather also appears in much of Brazil. The explanation is in a atmospheric lock.
The National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet) issued red alert for heat wave which affects parts of the Southeast, South and Central-West regions.
Vulnerable groups
In the letter sent to the state and city hall of Rio, the MPF and the Public Defender’s Office point out the following risk groups:
- children, especially infants, newborns and premature babies;
- seniors over 65 years old;
- pregnant and breastfeeding women;
- people with chronic illnesses and disabilities;
- outdoor workers and sportspeople;
- individuals with mobility restrictions and bedridden;
- homeless population.
Street population
Specifically regarding the homeless population, the statement mentions that a municipal protocol recognizes that the clinical condition is worsened by social vulnerability, since:
- are more exposed to extreme heat due to less access to refrigerated environments and sun protection;
- subject to a high burden of morbidity due to various socially determined clinical conditions;
- reduced access to drinking and chilled water, as well as adequate food.
The MPF, DPU and DPRJ remember that the municipal protocol itself guides measures such as:
- activation of hydration centers in Primary Health Care units;
- designation of cooling points in places with air conditioning or refrigeration, with publicity available to the population;
- expansion of the supply of hydration or water distribution stations in
- places to welcome the most vulnerable populations;
- possibility of extending opening hours of locations
- public spaces with air conditioning, refrigeration or shaded areas.
Recommendation and deadline
Among the recommendations to the state are the preparation of the Fire Department to rescue people and guarantee the availability of beds and service capacity in the health network.
The MPF and the Defenders demand that the municipality and state inform, within 24 hours, concrete measures triggered, with “precise indication” of:
- activated cooling points, with addresses and opening hours;
- water and hydration distribution locations and times;
- health units acting as hydration centers;
- activated service and referral flows;
- rescue operations and pre-hospital care carried out.
Wanted by Brazil Agencythe Municipal Health Department reported that “Rio’s city hall was the first and one of the only cities in the country to have a protection protocol for extreme heat, and will obviously follow the published protocol”.
“The recommendation for the entire state must be evaluated by each city, and it is not up to the Rio Municipal Health Department to comment”, completes the note.
THE Brazil Agency asked the state government for a position and is open to demonstrations.
