Funds will be used to purchase equipment aimed at assisting pregnant women.
Nov 28, Brasilia: A total of R $ 335 million will be transferred to Brazilian states to purchase equipment for the care and public assistance to pregnant women and newborns. The announcement was made by the Minister of Health, Eduardo Pazuello, and aims to improve prenatal care, prevent premature birth and intensify care for newborns. The measure alludes to the Purple November, awareness month for the prevention of prematurity.
According to the minister, more than 50% of infant deaths can be prevented by careful attention to pregnancy and childbirth.
“It is very important to reinforce the monitoring of pregnancy in Primary Care. We cannot be afraid to look for Health Units. Mothers and fathers have to look as soon as possible so that the follow-up and the moment of premature birth are followed, and babies are born as safely as possible ”, emphasizes Eduardo Pazuello.
On Thursday (26), the Ministry of Health launched the campaign “Together for Premature Children: Taking Care of the Future”.
Premature
Worldwide, 15 million children are born prematurely every year. In Brazil, there are, on average, 340 thousand babies, annually, who are born before 37 weeks of gestation.
According to the Ministry of Health, here in Brazil, 11.7% of all births occur ahead of time. We occupy the 10th position among the nations where most cases of prematurity are registered. Another data, from the World Health Organization (WHO), reveals that, in the past year, prematurity was the main cause of infant mortality worldwide.
The minister drew attention to the Federal Government's goal of reducing child mortality rates by 2030. “We are not going to abandon our babies, we are not going to abandon our mothers. I would like to point out that our health system is prepared to take care of these children and that it looks at the citizen from the moment he is in his mother's womb until his old age. Care is integral and for life. ”
Actions already developed to avoid prematurity
To reduce child mortality in Brazil, often caused by prematurity, the Ministry of Health promotes a series of actions. Between them:
- The early start of prenatal care;
- The strengthening of the National Breastfeeding Policy, investment in Banco de Leite; and
- Implementation of the Kangaroo Method, a model of care for the newborn created to minimize the impact of prematurity on the development of the newborn.
According to the Ministry of Health, a baby born prematurely may develop respiratory problems, infections and problems related to nutrition. Among the causes that can lead to premature birth are maternal hypertension (high blood pressure) and infections.
Professor Tatiane Morais dos Reis lived the issue of prematurity closely. She had her son at 31 weeks of gestation. It was a risky pregnancy. At birth, son Arthur needed a respirator and incubator. Tatiane told us about the experience.
“We experienced that whole experience with a lot of pain, but also with a lot of learning,” says the teacher. According to her, in the ICU, next to the little one, who today is doing well, she had the opportunity to learn about breastfeeding and baby care. “I lived in a milk bank. The girls there helped me a lot. I can only be grateful for all the support I had during Arthur's hospital stay. ”
And he left a message for all moms who are experiencing the experience of prematurity: “If you are experiencing this moment, it will pass. You will win, because we are strong, these babies want to live and struggle to be here ”.
November Purple
The so-called Purple November is an international month of awareness of prematurity. It is an entire month dedicated to actions and events related to the theme. The objective is to promote a series of activities to raise awareness among the Brazilian population and draw attention to the cause. World Day of Prematurity is remembered on 17 November.
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