Queue of patients at a health unit in Natal is unrelated to Bolsa Família – 06/02/2023 – Power

The post that associates images of a queue on the street with the government of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) and the cancellation of a social program is misleading. The publication, which takes a video out of context, mentions that the current federal administration would be “leaving the people in long queues to sunbathe and canceling the Auxílio Brasil”.

The original video, recorded in May of this year and shown by Inter TV, an affiliate of Rede Globo in Rio Grande do Norte, shows patients waiting for care at a UBS (Basic Health Unit) in the city of Natal, capital of Rio Grande do Norte. The queue, as verified by the Comprova Project, was generated by the delay in issuing passwords and, according to a note from the city hall sent to the newscast, by a reduction in the number of doctors working that day in the unit. The space is the responsibility of the municipality —administered by Álvaro Dias (Republicans)—, not the Union.

The current government in fact blocked the payment of Bolsa Família (which replaces the Auxílio Brasil) by part of the beneficiaries due to indications of irregularities and caused queues by demanding the re-registration of another part. But this has nothing to do with the queue registered in front of the UBS, as the misleading post suggests.

Misleading, for Comprova, is content removed from the original context and used in another so that its meaning undergoes changes; that uses inaccurate data or that induces an interpretation different from the author’s intention; content that is confusing, with or without the deliberate intent to cause harm.

Reach

Comprova investigates suspicious content with greater reach on social networks. Until June 1st, the post on Twitter had accumulated 159.5 thousand views, 4.4 thousand likes, more than 900 shares and 179 comments.

How do we check

First, we looked for clues in the video itself. In the images, it is possible to read in the signs installed on the facade of the building that it is a UBS. As recently there was a strike in the city of Natal, we searched for images of health units in the capital of Rio Grande do Norte and found a compatible building.

Upon identifying the UBS in front of which the video was recorded, we searched Google for reports of problems at the location, involving queues or delays in service. The search returned journalistic reports, one of which used, in the original context, the video that gained another meaning in the misleading post. We contacted the broadcaster to obtain more information about the origin of the images.

We also searched for keywords on Google such as “Auxílio Brasil”, “Bolsa Família” and “Lula government”.

We sent questions to the Municipal Health Secretariat (SMS) of Natal, where the UBS is located, and to the Ministry of Social Development (MDS). Finally, we contacted the Twitter profile that made the misleading publication.

Video

The queue on the sidewalk that appears in the misleading post was recorded on the morning of May 18 in front of UBS Bela Vista, in the neighborhood of Igapó, north of Natal. The space is managed by the city hall, led by Álvaro Dias (Republicans). The images were shown by the newscast RN TV 1st Edition, by Inter TV RN, an affiliate of Rede Globo in Rio Grande do Norte.

The program informs that it has received several videos of patients who complained about the delay in service at the site. In them, residents report that they arrived at the unit at dawn and that the post informed that the forms for service would only be distributed from 9 am. “All health centers deliver at 7 am, except here”, complains a lady. “Many seniors, there was one that already felt sick and went home. And then?”, asks another. The delay in starting the distribution of chips caused a long queue to form.

When, finally, the passwords were delivered, part of the waiting group was left unattended. To RN TV, the Natal Municipal Health Department informed that the medical staff of this unit is composed of three clinical physicians, a pediatrician and a gynecologist, but that one clinician was on leave due to surgery and, therefore, there was a reduction of medical care.

Still to RN TV, SMS informed, at the time, that 150 appointments were made and added that there are still 59 UBSs in the capital of Rio Grande do Norte, where users can seek care without the need to arrive before opening hours, which begin at 8 o’clock.

Cancellation and re-registration

The misleading post also mentions the cancellation of the Brazil Aid. The social benefit, which under the current government was renamed Bolsa Família, grants a minimum amount of R$600 to low-income families. In fact, the Lula government canceled the payment of the scholarship to part of the beneficiaries due to signs of irregularities. As the Minister of Development and Social Assistance, Wellington Dias, said in March of this year, 1.4 million families were excluded from the program. On the other hand, another 700 thousand families were included.

In April, on suspicion of fraud, Bolsa Família was blocked for 1.2 million “one-person families”, which caused long queues at city hall service centers. The increase in demand for re-registration after the suspension was registered in capitals such as Rio de Janeiro and Salvador. The group had 60 days to demonstrate that, in fact, it met the requirements to access the benefit.

The purpose of the measure is to combat fraud and grant the scholarship to those who really need it, according to the government. In May of this year, according to government data, 21.2 million families were benefited.

Bolsa Família is aimed at people in situations of economic and social vulnerability. To be contemplated, they need to present income classified as a situation of poverty or extreme poverty. With the new legislation, families with an income of up to R$ 218 per person have access to the program. The data must be updated with CADÚnico (Cadastro Único).

The selection considers the poverty estimate, the number of families served in each municipality and the budget limit.

Bolsa Familia and UBS

According to Bolsa Família rules, some beneficiaries must attend twice a year, once every six months, at the UBSs in their municipalities to prove to the federal government that they carry out health monitoring. However, this need only affects pregnant women, mothers and children under 7 years of age.

The trip to the UBS consists of monitoring the vaccination status of children and measuring weight and height, in addition to prenatal care for pregnant women. Each municipality must appoint a technician responsible for the Bolsa Família program at the municipal health department. He must access an online platform and check which beneficiary families need health monitoring and whether it is being carried out.

There is a risk of losing the benefit if the follow-up is not carried out. In April, a federal government ordinance defined that the repercussions for monitoring conditionalities will be resumed as of July, with the application of a warning to beneficiaries who fail to comply with any criteria. In this case, the benefit is still maintained, but it is a warning sign.

A similar rule exists in education, in which it is necessary to have a minimum monthly school attendance of 60% for beneficiaries between 4 and 6 years of age; and minimum monthly school attendance of 75% for beneficiaries aged 6 to 18 who have not completed basic education.

What the person responsible for the publication says

The report got in touch via Twitter with the account @mspbra, responsible for the verified post. In the bio, the profile presents itself as a space for “news, humor, parody, irony and satire”. There was no response until the publication of this check.

What can we learn from this check

When you come across a publication that uses images without mentioning date, place, or even credit, be wary. Watch the video carefully and look for clues that help with contextualization. In this case, the sign, for example, and the very structure of the building, indicated that it was a health unit.

Before sharing a post, research the topic addressed and try to ask questions. In relation to the publication in question, was there really a cancellation of the aid? When, in what context and for what reason? Has this cancellation generated queues? What is the possible relationship between the social benefit and a UBS? News will probably help you understand the scenario.

why do we investigate

Comprova monitors suspicious content published on social networks and messaging apps about public policies and elections at the federal level and opens investigations for those publications that have achieved greater reach and engagement. You can also suggest checks via WhatsApp +55 11 97045-4984. Suggestions and questions related to questionable content can also be sent to Sheet via WhatsApp 11 99486-0293.

Other checks on the topic

Comprova has already denied other pieces of disinformation involving Lula. Recently, it was shown to be false that he reappointed Nestor Cerveró to Petrobras and that the petista is implementing unisex bathrooms in the country.