WHY DOES CHILDHOOD MALNUTRITION SHOULD BECOME A REPORTABLE DISEASE IN BRAZIL – AN EXPERIENCE REPORT BY A PROVAB’S DOCTOR

Introduction and Objectives: Childhood malnutrition should become a reportable disease in Brazil for ten reasons. First, the national hospital death rate for this disorder is about 20%, four times greater than the acceptable by the World Health Organization. Second, the last national data on the subject were published in the 1990’s. Third, Brazil is fighting hunger since 2003, however with no reliable statistics on the actions. Fourth, children malnutrition’s rate is an appropriate measurement for the impact of the last decade changes in the health care system. Fifth, it is a necessary data to evaluate the outcome of Mais Médicos, a costly program. Sixth, there is no protocol to guide the assistance of malnourished children without medical indication for hospitalization. Seventh, Brazilians family doctors routinely attend children underweight and stunting. Eighth, it is a severe disease that may lead to sequels or death. Ninth, it causes social unrest. Tenth, it can be healed. This report intends to propagate the necessity of new movements on Brazilian’s fight against starvation, through the description of a health care intervention made by a doctor at the Programa de Valorização dos Profissionais da Atenção Básica (PROVAB) and her team. Methods: We followed the Manguerez methodology. Implementation was based on necessity products donations. Results and Conclusion: Ten of fourteen undernourished children recovered weight in six months. Patients showed greater compliance with health care plans after the intervention than before the implementation. The community is discussing health politics and professionals are engaging on legal proceedings.