Speech Of The President Of Brazil Fernando Henrique Cardoso

speech of the president of brazil, fernando henrique cardoso, to commemorate world health day celebration 2001 palace of planalto hon.

Speech of The President of Brazil, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, to
commemorate World Health Day Celebration 2001
Palace of Planalto
Hon. José Serra, Minister of Health
Hon. Ministers here present, congressmen
Distinguished Gentlemen
Mrs. Haidé Benedetti de Paula, widow of our friend David Capistrano
Jr.
Dr. Domingos Sávio do Nascimento Alves,
Congressman Paulo Delgado
Ladies and Gentlemen
Minister Serra, has already mentioned the reasons why World Health Day
is an opportunity to honor the people here in Brazil who work to place
the issue of health and psychiatry, not only in a more adequate,
appropriate and inclusive form, but also in a democratic point of
view, as well as honor the efforts that have been made by the Ministry
of Health in this area.
I would like to reiterate that it is an honor for me to participate in
this celebration. It is unfortunate that David is not here with us, so
it is only fair to honor both Dr. Sávio and David Capistrano Jr. and
to highlight that Hon. Paulo Delgado has had an intense task at the
Congress, regarding giving a new form to the discussion of Psychiatry
in Brazil –a topic that surpasses, I would say strictly medical
matters because it encompasses issues that matter to citizenship and
that relate to democracy. If there is a sector in which users can
become subjugated, it is the field of Psychiatry. If there is where
exclusion can occur in a way that may not be recognized, yet that is
efficient, is the field of Psychiatry.
It is necessary to effectively modify, not only in function, which is
the most important for users and their families, but with respect to
the general conceptualization of the democratic state. The battle has
been difficult and fought by many parliamentarians- Minister Serra
mentioned them in the final phase- the enthusiasm and dedication of
Hon. Paulo Delgado (during the initial and final stages) were very
significant.
I also wanted to mention on this occasion of World Health Day what the
Ministry of Health is doing in Brazil, which is a thorough
transformation. This transformation has been a long process. Minister
Adib Jatene played an important role in this process. The succeeding
ministers also played an important role. However, it is the energy of
Minister Serra, his determination and almost obsession, that lead to
obtaining positive results and what permitted a large transformation
in the health sector.
On a day like today, I can not help but make a direct reference to
Minister Serra and his team, which is composed of many people -many
who remain anonymous. I do not know them all, but it is evident that
it is the work of many dedicated and committed people, without whom
the results would not have been the same.
Just recently the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics
(IBGE) published a summary of social data, which showed that the
indicator that best represents health –infant mortality- showed a
decrease, although it is still very high in Brazil. Inequality has
always existed and it was shown to be even more accentuated. However,
what should be highlighted is that the mortality rate is diminishing
and that care is being rendered in a more egalitarian fashion.
It is not only about health. If one considers education, especially
after the “Plano Real”, there is higher attendance and more children
registered reaching a level of 96% of school age children attending
school. Also impressive was the change witnessed in the following
area. In the poorest 20%, there was an increase in the rate of
attendance increasing from 75% to 93%. This means that social policy
is reaching whom it needs to reach -the poorest sector.
When one looks at this issue from a comparative view, rural v. urban,
one can see the great scholastic strides achieved by rural areas since
urban areas have already achieved a higher degree of scholastic
understanding.
This means that inequality is in fact decreasing. Conditions are such
that people have greater access to income and are better able to
demand their rights and decrease inequalities. However, studies show
that inequalities do exist, and to reduce inequalities something needs
to be done about social policies. In the future when social policies
start to produce results, we will have a more equal and fair Brazilian
society.
Brazilians should not be disappointed by what is going wrong. Instead,
we should let what is beginning to advance motivate us to work harder
to further enhance our society improving both democracy and equity.
In the area of health, what Minister Serra is doing and what the
government is doing, is providing access to those who need it most and
reaching the poorest areas in Brazil; even more so now because of the
Alvorada project. In the poorest 2000 municipalities efforts are being
concentrated on basic health care provided by family practitioners,
and access to schools with electricity and potable water, since some
schools still lack potable water. This way, by truly attacking the
problems, one can eliminate them. No one really knows what is
happening in Brazil, neither good nor bad, and because of this, one
needs to act with more energy and determination.
I am taking advantage of this celebration of World Health Day to say
that it is symbolic that a law, which has taken so long and that
signifies democracy, has been proclaimed. Democracy is what we are
trying to instill in all political actions of the government. That is
what Brazil needs.
I would like to finish by reiterating my satisfaction for being given
the opportunity to honor the work of those who have fought for better
health in Brazil. It is a small acknowledgment on behalf of the
government. Special thanks to Hon. Paulo Delgado. If I am allowed I
would like to, aside the rules of protocol, kiss David’s mother.