Actions will be carried out on the North Branch of the Paraguay River
By First Lieutenant (RM2-T) Melina Isquierdo – Ladário, MS
Today (12), members of the Brazilian Navy will begin the second stage of the “Navio” Project (Expanded Navigation for Intensive and Optimized Surveillance), an initiative focused on studying and monitoring the health of the Pantanal’s riverside populations and climate change and its impacts on public health. The action is being carried out in conjunction with the Health Secretariats of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul, the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) and researchers from national and international institutions.
The River Logistics Support Vessel (NApLogFlu) “Potengí”, the River Transport Vessel (NTrFlu) “Paraguassu” and the Hospital Assistance Vessel (NAsH) “Tenente Maximiamo” will visit around 10 riverside communities along the North Branch of the Paraguay River, from Ladário (MS) to Cáceres (MT).
Multidisciplinary teams will collect epidemiological and climatic data along the way, which will later allow them to identify priority sites for health surveillance. The aim is to obtain a more accurate forecast of outbreaks and implement more effective preventive and control measures.
In addition to collecting data and samples of migratory birds, wastewater and vectors in the Pantanal, health teams on board the ships will offer medical, dental and laboratory care to residents of riverside communities.
The Commander of the 6th Naval District, Vice Admiral Iunis Távora Said, says that the Naval Force establishes and maintains partnerships and agreements with bodies and institutions in order to improve the provision of public services to society.
“No matter the region, our job today and always will be to protect national wealth and look after our people. Here on the Western Frontier, as part of taking care of our people, the Navy is especially dedicated to the riverside population, who depend on our rivers for their livelihoods. This is one of the main missions of the Brazilian Navy,” explains the Vice-Admiral.
Source: Agência Marinha de Notícias *** Translated by DEFCONPress FYI Team ***