XXXIII Science with Acarajé discusses the role of biomedical professionals in Health Surveillance

“The role of health professionals in health surveillance and ensuring public health”. This was the theme of the XXXIII Science with Acarajé, an initiative of the Tutorial Education Program (PET) of the Biomedicine course at Bahiana which took place on the evening of Thursday, May 15, at the Cabula Campus. To talk about the subject, the event had as guest speakers Andréa Salvador de Almeida, director of Health Surveillance of the Municipality, and Ana Leiro, coordinator of Surveillance Actions.

In her lecture, Andréa presented all the actions and responsibilities of the Health Surveillance Department and other surveillance departments in Salvador, as well as their respective coordination and internal sectors. For Ana Leiro, the participation of the Health Surveillance Department in events such as Science with Acarajé is still rare. “We need to understand where surveillance is inserted in the health sector. This is so necessary that it needs to be explained and demystified,” said Leiro. Andréa also explained that most people’s view of the Health Surveillance Department is mistaken when they see it only as a coercive agency and forget its educational side. “Although we carry out an inspection act, we provide health education so that harm can be reduced and patients and users can be properly cared for in the best way possible, providing everything necessary to ensure the safety and health of the population,” explained Andréa.

For Miqueias Santos de Jesus Silva, a 6th semester Biomedicine student, Science with Acarajé is very important because it popularizes Science for students and other people in society who sign up to participate. “In addition to spreading science, this project addresses our culture through acarajé, uniting culture and science, encouraging this popularization,” said Miqueias, noting that registrations to participate in the event were made through the donation of 1kg of food or 400g of whole milk powder or another donation directed to GACC. The campaign runs until the end of May, and those interested in contributing can make their donation at one of the collection points located on the Cabula Campus.