Santa Casa guarantees a thousand tests for July Yellow to prevent viral hepatitis
State initiative also seeks preventive diagnostics for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
Student Jéssica Almeida was passing through Parque Shopping in Belém when she came across the July Yellow action. The campaign for the prevention of viral hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) was available throughout the operating hours of the establishment.
“It is important for the population because there are people who live with some pathologies and don’t know it, so this action is important for people who come to visit the shopping and also take the opportunity to get tested,” said student Jéssica Almeida.
In addition to the tests, female and male condoms, blood pressure checks, and blood glucose tests were provided. The action also ensured lectures with specialist doctors and counseling with psychologists from Santa Casa. They advised on the importance of maintaining preventive measures and the process in case medical follow-up is needed.
“The goal of the action is to bring the population to work on awareness and prevention of viral hepatitis and STIs. Because the earlier the diagnosis, the easier the treatment. In addition, we have a multidisciplinary team with psychologists who provide counseling during the delivery of results, nurses, and nursing technicians,” explains nurse Tamires Tupinambá, manager of the Hospital Epidemiological Surveillance Center at Santa Casa.
During the lectures, infectious disease specialists Débora Onuma and Bárbara Vasconcelos reinforced the importance of maintaining preventive behaviors against hepatitis, such as using condoms to avoid sexual transmission of the virus and not sharing syringes and needles (in the case of drug users) and using individual and sterilized manicure tools. They highlighted that the virus is transmitted through bodily fluids and blood, and vaccination for hepatitis B is also a recommended measure.
For psychologist Thaissa Rocha, who was there for leisure and took the opportunity to check her health, the possibility of getting clarifications and doing diagnostic tests in a busy space like a shopping center is a way to bring the general population closer to health services and promote care and knowledge.
"I find it interesting when health goes out of its space and goes to other places. Because I, for example, today would not go to a health post to do a rapid test. But since I was here, I found it important. I did it because I work in a hospital and interact with patients who have these types of diseases, and even taking care of myself and protecting myself, we know it’s important to always monitor our own health," said Thaissa.
The campaign, promoted by Santa Casa in partnership with the Health Department of Pará and supported by the Integrated System of Basic and Professional Education of Pará (Siepa), conducted 1,068 rapid diagnostic tests for syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis B and C, in addition to guidance, lectures, and distribution of condoms.
