HEALTH
The Federal Government’s various programs in the area of Health, Sanitation and Social Assistance have contributed to the reduction of the infant mortality rate in all Brazilian regions.
Among these programs, the following should be noted: Community Health Agents Program; Family Health Program; Reduction of Infant Mortality Project; Women and Children Health Program; National Immunization Program; Nutritional Deficiencies Combat Program; and the extension of basic sanitation.
In related data collected by the Catholic Church's program called Children Pastoral, in the various municipal districts in which they are active, a reduction of about 46% was verified in the infant mortality rate between 1994 and 1998.
In 1999, the Children Pastoral will assist 28,913 needy communities, located in 3,105 Brazilian municipal districts. The monthly average of children ages 6 and below and of families assisted by the Child’s Pastoral is approximately of 1.4 million and almost one million, respectively.
In the 90s, the Community Health Agents and Family Care Health Programs, among others, saved the lives of about 223,398 children below the age of 12 months. The annual average of prevented deaths rose from 19 thousand in the 1991-1994 period to 37 thousand in the 1995-1998 period, representing an increase of almost 100%.
The Community Health Agents (PACS) and Family Health Care (PSF) Programs aim at providing basic outpatient health assistance, therefore promoting preventive health and health education. This significantly contributes not only towards the improvement of health, but also to the quality of life of the general population.
These programs offer closer, more personal assistance to the population, which result in significant progress.
From 1995 to 1999 (May), the number of community agents increased 163%.
From 1994 to 1999 (May), the number of municipal districts assisted by PACS increased 315%.
In spite of the existing limitations in terms of health care centers, from 1997 to 1998 there was a significant increase in the proportion of assisted pregnant women.
The number of municipal districts covered by the Family Health Care Program increased 645% between 1995 and 1998.
The number Family Health Care Program teams increased 4,3 times in the 1995-1998 period.