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MSF in BrazilLast updated: December 2007 Complexo de Alemão is a deprived and violent neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro. The area is well known for regular clashes between local armed groups and with the Rio de Janeiro police forces. The local population, estimated to be around 150,000, lives trapped in the violence. Since October, MSF has been providing emergency and mental health services to those living in Complexo do Alemão. MSF runs an emergency room in Fazendinha, at the heart of the neighborhood, offering emergency care, mental health services, MSF ambulatory referrals and an advisory service. Techniques such as advanced trauma life support are practiced by medical staff, establishing an efficient triage system for the quick diagnosis of patient needs. By December, MSF had treated around 2,000 patients, mainly for violent and accidental injuries, respiratory tract infections and suspected dengue fever. Across Brazil, MSF offers training to municipalities, mainly on security risk management in violent settings. Over 600 staff from the family health program in Rio, Belo Horizonte and other municipalities followed this training program during the year. In partnership with the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, MSF has a Chagas diagnosis project in the Amazon region. The project aims to train health professionals to identify the parasite that causes the disease while screening for malaria. The project, implemented in 12 health centers so far, has identified some 200 cases of Chagas. The project will expand in 2008, to include more health centers. MSF has worked in Brazil since 1991. |
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