R$247 million on Investment for strategic actions to support pregnancy, prenatal and puerperium in Brazil.

Investment adds to that made in August 2020 to protect pregnant women and women who have just given birth

The Ministry of Health allocated R$247 million to states and municipalities to encourage actions that ensure quality access for pregnant women and women who have recently given birth to the points of the Health Care Network in prenatal care. The ordinance that releases the resources brings a series of recommendations for the care and social isolation of pregnant women, in addition to the allocation of specific funds for dental prenatal care.
The investment will contribute to strengthen early identification, monitoring of pregnant women and mothers with flu, severe acute respiratory syndrome, with suspicion or confirmation of Covid-19. The qualification of actions at all points of the health care network, in the context of the Coronavirus pandemic, includes support for social distancing from those who do not have conditions to perform home isolation and the qualification of actions for dental prenatal care carried out in Primary Health Care (PHC).

For the ministry’s secretary of Primary Health Care (Saps), Raphael Câmara Medeiros Parente, the allocation of resources reinforces the portfolio’s commitment to qualifying the care and care of the obstetric population, in addition to contributing to the reduction of maternal and child mortality in the context of the pandemic.
“That is why we have reinforced, with substantial credit, support for states and municipalities, where effectively the health care for pregnant women and women who have recently given birth takes place. This action is intended to enhance prenatal care during the pandemic, which should not be interrupted, and to ensure that every pregnant woman is tested at the end of pregnancy, as recommended in the Manual of Recommendations for Assistance to Pregnant Women and Postpartum facing the COVID-19 pandemic,” he emphasized.
The funds will be transferred automatically and in a single installment from the National Health Fund (FNS) to the Municipal and District Health Funds, dispensing with the publication of an adherence decree.

The Ministry outlined a series of recommendations for health managers in states and municipalities.
The secretary stressed the importance of vaccinating pregnant women and women who have just given birth who have some risk factor associated with covid-19. “We are in contact with the National Vaccination Program (PNI) and, if necessary, increase the recommendation for immunization for all. We are evaluating very carefully, after all, we are talking about two lives,” reinforced Parente.

To monitor the actions, the beneficiary entity must prove the application of the financial resources received through the Annual Management Report (RAG).
Pregnant women, puerperal women and lactating women can be vaccinated against Covid-19 in Brazil, as long as they belong to one of the priority groups, especially if they have any comorbidity. This is the guidance of the Ministry of Health, which is based on national and international studies that evaluated the risks and benefits of immunizing women in these conditions.

In the case of pregnant women without pre-existing diseases, but who are part of the campaign’s target audience, the recommendation is that a careful evaluation be carried out with their doctor, especially if the woman performs any activity that leaves her more exposed to the disease. The pregnant woman should also be informed about the efficacy and safety data known to immunizers. Whoever meets these criteria must be vaccinated against covid-19 according to the order of immunization of priority groups, established by the National Plan for Operationalization of Vaccination against Covid-19 (PNO). But be careful: the Ministry of Health advises that pregnant women,
lactating and puerperal women seek health services only when the vaccination phase of the priority group in which they are inserted arrives.

Pregnant women, puerperal women and lactating women, belonging to priority groups, who do not agree to be vaccinated, must be supported in their decision and oriented to maintain protective measures such as hand hygiene, wearing masks and social distance. In addition, lactating mothers who are vaccinated against covid-19 do not need to interrupt breastfeeding due to the immunization, since there is no evidence of risks to the baby’s health, as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). The donation of breast milk is also allowed.

MONITORING

The Ministry of Health has been providing support to the state coordinators of women’s health and epidemiological surveillance to monitor together, the offer of the vaccine and the monitoring of pregnant women, postpartum women and breastfeeding women who opt for immunization. The position also tracks cases of adverse events after vaccination in pregnant women, fetuses and newborns up to six months after birth.

Recommendations regarding the application of covid-19 vaccines in pregnant women, women who have recently given birth and breastfeeding are available at the PNO and also in a technical note prepared by the Secretariat of Primary Health Care (SAPS).

By Josi Donelli/Thenews2