Amazonas: 2,600 public schools participate in national mobilization against dengue

student health

The initiative marks the effort of the Ministries of Health and Education to combat the Aedes aegypti mosquito

Manaus (AM) — In another important step towards combating arboviruses and raising awareness about the increase in dengue cases in Brazil, the federal government is carrying out a mobilization in the country’s public schools against the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

In addition to calling and raising awareness among states and municipalities, the action is also part of the resumption of the School Health Program, restructured in 2023 and marks the union of efforts of the Ministries of Health and Education, highlighting the urgency of combating the mosquito. There will be 20 weeks of activities and engagement of school communities. Under the program, 25 million students will be guided in more than 102 thousand public educational institutions, 2,659 of which in Amazonas.

Held during the opening week of the public school calendar, the event Brazil united against dengue: combating mosquitoes in schools was open to the local community. Endemic Disease Control Agents were present to demonstrate the importance of eliminating mosquito outbreaks and reinforcing their protective role within the community.

According to the 3rd Rapid Aedes aegypti Infestation Index Survey (LIRAa) and the Sample Index Survey (LIA) of the Ministry of Health, 75% of dengue mosquito breeding sites are in homes, such as in plant pots and plates, bottles returnable containers, drip pans, defrosting containers in refrigerators, drinking fountains in general, small ornamental fountains and materials in construction warehouses (stocked toilets, pipes and others).

Last week, the Ministry of Health increased the resources reserved to support states, municipalities and the Federal District to face emergencies, such as the rise in dengue cases in the country, to R$1.5 billion. In 2023, the ministry had already reserved R$256 million for this purpose. The acceleration of the release of resources for states and municipalities that declare an emergency, whether due to dengue fever, other arboviruses or situations that affect public health, was also announced.

At the event location, children were vaccinated against dengue and other vaccines on the children’s calendar. A multi-vaccination point was made available to reinforce the importance of applying all recommended vaccines, ensuring the protection of children, a group that records a high rate of hospitalization due to dengue. The Ministry of Health reinforces, however, that the main prevention measure is the elimination of mosquito breeding sites. Hence the importance of receiving Endemic Disease Control Agents and Community Health Agents, who will help find and eliminate possible breeding sites.

School Health Program

The School Health Program was created in 2007 and is the result of a partnership between the Ministries of Health and Education. The two policies aimed at children, adolescents, young people and adults in Brazilian public education come together to promote health and comprehensive education.

It is a strategy for the development of citizenship and the qualification of Brazilian public policies, which seeks to improve the health of students, reduce school dropout rates and intermittent attendance due to health problems, in addition to reinforcing the commitments and pacts established by both sectors. .

In 2023, the federal government expanded policies that were not addressed by the previous administration, resuming themes such as preventing violence and accidents, promoting a culture of peace and human rights, sexual and reproductive health, in addition to HIV/STI prevention in schools.

The Ministry of Health allocated more than R$90 million to the municipalities that joined the PSE. The 2023/2024 cycle reached an all-time record for adhesions, with 99% of Brazilian cities eligible to receive the resource.

Specifically for the mobilization Brazil united against dengue: combating mosquitoes in schools, over the next few months, schools will carry out playful activities to raise awareness, with competitions, educational theaters, creative workshops, lectures, prevention murals and competitions to engage children , adolescents and young people in the fight against dengue. Additionally, the program will publish educational guides, podcasts, videos with the participation of school communities and live sessions with experts to call on the entire population to combat the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

*With information from consultancy

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