The initiative provides training for up to 1,760 professionals in the areas of health surveillance, primary care, secondary care and mental health, within 24 months
Healthcare professionals from the Unified Health System (SUS) from 39 municipalities in Minas Gerais and Espirito Santo impacted by the Fundao (MG) dam collapse began to receive, in June, remote training on topics aimed at monitoring the health situation of the affected population.
In all, up to 1,760 professionals will be able to be trained in the areas of health surveillance, primary care, secondary care and mental health to be multipliers in their municipalities of action. The training aims to expand the professionals’ technical-scientific knowledge and improve processes and work flows in crisis and emergency situations, for the organization and analysis of data in health services.
“The training will enhance and create new possibilities and strategies for the actions already developed by health professionals of the Unified Health System (SUS) in the municipalities, helping to improve the service to the affected population”, says Ronize Gomes do Nascimento, specialist of the Health Program of the Renova Foundation.
The initiative is made possible through the technical cooperation agreement of the Training Program for SUS health professionals working in the affected municipalities, signed between the Health Program of the Renova Foundation, municipal governments, municipal health departments and Regional Health Superintendencies. Each municipal manager is responsible for selecting the participating professionals, who must be registered in the National Registry of Health Establishments System (SCNES).]
The schedule for carrying out the training themes is defined with municipal and regional health managers, respecting the organization of health services and, consequently, the effective participation of the professionals. The expected duration of the Training Program is up to 24 months.
The execution of the trainings was expected to take place in the face-to-face modality and by hub. However, due to the need for social isolation due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there was a restructuring for the Remote Education (Online Training) modality, having as reference the division of the 39 municipalities into four hubs:
- Ponte Nova Hub:Barra Longa, Rio Doce, Santa Cruz do Escalvado, Rio Casca, Sem Peixe, São Pedro dos Ferros, São José do Goiabal, São Domingos do Prata, Raul Soares.
- Ipatinga Hub:Dionísio, Córrego Novo, Marliéria, Pingo d’Água, Bom Jesus do Galho, Caratinga, Timóteo, Ipatinga, Iapu, Ipaba, Bugre, Santana do Paraíso, Belo Oriente, Naque, Periquito.
- Governador Valadares Hub:Alpercata, Tumiritinga, Conselheiro Pena, Fernandes Tourinho, Galiléia, Governador Valadares, Resplendor, Itueta, Sobrália, Aimorés
- Colatina Hub:Baixo Guandu, Colatina, Marilândia, Aracruz, Linhares.
Remote classes
The program outlines approximately 240 hours/class for the next 24 months. The schedule of topics covered in the training was defined with municipal and regional Health managers.
The Training Program will address other issues relevant to affected communities:
- Health Risk Communication;
- Health Surveillance (Environmental, Epidemiological and Sanitary Surveillance, covering topics related to Biostatistics and Monitoring of Water Quality for Human Consumption);
- Disaster Emergency;
- Principles and Concepts of Risk to Human Health Assessment Studies (ARSH);
- Principles and Concepts of Toxicology of Metals;
- Signs and Symptoms Related to Metal Exposure;
- Survey of the Complete Exhibition History;
- Physical Examinations for Identification of Symptoms Related to Exposure of Metals;
- Direction and Interpretation of Laboratory Tests for Metal Intoxication Assessment;
- Directing the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Intoxication by Metals.