Prosecutor Helena Capela talks about MPPE’s actions in relation to the lack of beds in pediatric and neonatal ICUs
Pediatric and neonatal Intensive Care Units (ICUs) in Pernambuco continue to be overcrowded. According to data from the State Department of Health (SES), 98 patients, 81 children and 17 babies, are still waiting for an intensive care bed on Friday night (3). In the morning, the numbers were even greater: 96 children and 20 babies in line.
When contacted, the state Health Secretary, Zilda Cavalcanti, reported that she had opened 140 beds since last year (learn more below).
Prosecutor Helena Capela, who is coordinator of the Health Defense Support Center, said that the scenario repeats itself every year and that, last year, she opened an investigation procedure.
“The response that came was a contingency plan to deal with this situation, but these measures were not enough in the sense that the wait for ICU beds is very long. And the state is not managing, with the agility that is necessary, increase this number of beds”, said the prosecutor.
A TV Globo was, this Friday (3), in some health units where several families were waiting for care.
Housewife Kaline Emily Rodrigues’ daughter is 1 year and 9 months old and, since last week, has been experiencing symptoms of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SRAG), but it was only on Thursday (2) that she was admitted to the Hospital’s ICU Otávio de Freitas, in the West Zone of Recife.
“They said there was no ICU, my husband went there, built a shack and they managed it, because they were scared because he said he was going to call the press”, said Kaline.
The Secretary of Health, Zilda Cavalcanti, said that, since last year, 140 new beds have been opened, “with the prospect of opening more”.
“We have telehealth with pediatricians 24 hours a day, responding to needs and queries across the state. We are providing training in the various regional health departments throughout the state as well. We have already trained more than 500 health professionals, in a targeted flow of care so that we can minimize the risk of complications, and especially working on prevention”, he stated.
The secretary also highlighted that it is important for parents and guardians to keep their children’s vaccinations up to date, including the flu.
According to the secretary, the new beds were created in the following units and regions:
- Correia Picanço Hospital, in Recife – 7 beds
- Jaboatão Prazeres Hospital, in Jaboatão dos Guararapes – 10 beds
- Ermírio Coutinho Hospital, in Nazaré da Mata – 10 beds
- Palmares Regional Hospital, in Vitória de Santo Antão – 36 beds
- João Murilo Hospital, also in Vitória de Santo Antão – 10 beds
- Dom Malan Hospital, in Petrolina – 15 beds
- Hospital Fernando Bezerra, in Ouricuri – 8 beds
- Inácio de Sá Hospital, in Salgueiro – 10 beds
- Eduardo Campos Hospital, in Serra Talhada – 24 beds
- Inácio de Sá Hospital, in Afogados da Ingazeira – 10 beds
VIDEOS: most seen in Pernambuco in the last 7 days
Tags: Overcrowding Pernambuco children babies waiting place pediatric neonatal ICUs Pernambuco
