The Ministry of Health sent a task force to Bahia to distribute the necessary supplies, medicines, vaccines and equipment. The state has more than 430,000 people affected by storms in 116 municipalities. 20 deaths have been confirmed so far. There are 100 cities in a state of emergency.
Teams of health workers and technicians arrived on file over the weekend in the state. Health Minister Marcelo Quiroga stressed that “the Ministry of Health and the government of President Jair Bolsonaro will spare no effort to help the people of Bahia and overcome this challenge.”
According to the Ministry of Health, the operation has so far sent more than 3 tons of medicines and supplies, enough to serve about 20,000 people in need of essential medicines.
Rain punishes cities in southern Bahiareproduction
Disaster in Bahia UniapolisFloods leave isolated areasReproduction/Brazil Agency
Teixeira de Freitas city council,Organizing city halls to receive the homelessReproduction/Brazil Agency
Disaster in Bahia by Paulo AfonsoReproduction/Brazil Agency
Bahia prayer seriesstate prayer seriesPlay / Instagram
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In addition, more than 100,000 influenza vaccines have been directed to the country, as well as more than 40,000 doses against hepatitis C in children. For the teams involved in the rescue operations, the Ministry of Health has sent more than 1,300 pieces of equipment, including boots, N95 masks, waterproof coats, uniforms and antigen tests to detect Covid-19.
There is concern about the quality of water for consumption by residents after the floods, so the Ministry of Health distributed 20 pieces of equipment for analysis. Up to the last balance, more than 300 samples have been evaluated. Another million bottles of sodium hypochlorite were sent to support water treatment in the affected cities.
1,000 basic food baskets and 4,3,000 liters of water were distributed to indigenous people in 22 villages in Itamarago within the state. Department of Health teams are also ramping up actions to direct the control of arthropod viruses, such as dengue, and other diseases that can put the population at risk, such as leptospirosis.
Last Saturday (25/12) the Federal Government established a joint relief operation for the Bahian Municipalities, with the Ministries of Regional Development, Citizenship and Health, as well as the State Government. A support base was set up at Ilheus in the south of the state. The Ministry of Health monitors the condition of all affected sites without interruption in the flood situation room.
With information from the Ministry of Health
Emily Brontë is a journalist and feature writer specialising in culture, entertainment, literature, and current affairs. She is dedicated to producing clear, accurate reporting that helps readers stay informed about developments in the UK and around the world.
