Local Challenges: Providing Support after the death of Dr. Roberto
The Brazilian constitution provides free healthcare for all citizens.
However, at present, medical facilities are only available in urban areas. In rural areas there is a lack of hospitals that can accept seriously ill patients, or there are no hospitals at all.
Dr. Roberto Salabi Souza, then mayor of Guia Lopes, was instrumental in providing medical care to the community in the Bonito region of South Mato Grosso, Brazil.
Dr. Roberto founded the Guia Lopes Municipal Hospital and Guia Lopes Medical Diagnostic Center. He also supported community health care by providing free diagnoses.
In the midst of this work, he was tragically struck and killed by a bullet in 2013. The Guia Lopes Municipal Hospital and the Guia Lopes Medical Diagnostic Center, which were being kept running by Dr. Roberto, are in crisis, having lost their leader.
For this reason, BRIDGE continues to support community medical care in Brazil, primarily in the Bonito region, providing human and financial support from Japan to carry on Dr. Roberto's legacy.
BRIDGE’s Initiatives
Project for the establishment of a regional core hospital in Brazil
Dr. Reiko Moribe, a representative of a local charitable corporation, is promoting the Pantanal Regional Hospital Establishment Project. The project aims to establish a core hospital in the Bonito area, which will serve as a center of regional healthcare. BRIDGE, in collaboration with Kochi University, is providing human and financial support for the project. The project aims to strike a balance between providing public healthcare and advanced medical services for more affluent patients, thereby becoming a self-sustaining operation.
Project DetailsThe Guia Lopes Municipal Hospital and Guia Lopes
Medical Diagnostic Center Revival Project
The diagnostic center established by Dr. Roberto is in danger of failing after his death. Currently, Dr. Reiko Moribe, a Japanese physician, has managed to continue the center through providing personal financial support, but there is a limit to what she can do alone. BRIDGE provides support by sending a medical service team of doctors and nurses to the center once a year, offering free services in cooperation with the local government.
Achievements by last year's medical service team:
- - Medical examinations: 120 people
- -Emergency surgery: 1 person
We are also working to support the cost of providing medical testing to seven cities of 120,000 people so that the equipment owned by the diagnostic center can be used at other times.
This will enable upper and lower endoscopies, ultrasound, EKG, EEG and other tests to become available.
Tests Made Available
Upper and lower endoscopies, ultrasound, EKG, EEG, etc.
"Free Medical Assistance Program
for the Nioaki Region"
The indigenous Indians in Brazil predate the Portuguese. Today they live a traditional life in an indigenous settlement called Aldeia. Although the Guia Lopes region is known for its large Indian population and public access is restricted, the Guia Lopes Medical Diagnostic Center has spent many years developing a relationship of trust with these indigenous people. BRIDGE has been visiting the area with the center's staff for several years to provide free medical assistance.
Activities to Date
2016
Chairman Seki (ENT) provided free medical treatment for 40 people at the Terêna health center
2017
Free endoscopy examination tickets provided to 24 people at the Nioaki aboriginal health center
Santa Casa Hospital Medical Equipment Maintenance Project
The Santa Casa Hospital is considered the last bastion of Campo Grande, the Brazilian state capital. Patients who cannot be treated at the Guia Lopes City Hospital or the Medical Diagnostic Center are also transported to Santa Casa Hospital, At Santa Casa Hospital patients queue up to be triaged into red, yellow, and green rooms for treatment. But there is not enough room, equipment, or personnel, and patients spill out into the hallways. The hospital’s CT imaging equipment, an essential part of emergency medicine, is also outdated.
BRIDGE works with the Rotary Club of Campo Grande to support the maintenance of medical equipment at the hospital.
Brazil Activity Reports
There is no latest activity report.
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