Conselheira denúncia más condições da Casa de Saúde Indígena em Rio Branco: 'situação desumana'

Inadequate Conditions and Services at Indigenous Health Center Incites Condemnation from Indigenous Councilor

Indigenous councilor Darcilene Kaxinawá is currently undergoing treatment for a foot fracture and is dissatisfied with the poor conditions and services at the Indigenous Health Center (Casai) in Rio Branco. According to her, the water provided is not potable, there is no air conditioning, and there is a lack of bed sheets and cleaning products for the accommodation.

"We drink water that is not potable, only the staff has access to mineral water, the patients don't. We drink water from a tank, and it is very hot. The water is used for patient showers and for cooking. The food is not of good quality, and we know that indigenous health is supposed to be prioritized with adequate funding. We just want people to know what is happening to us. Relatives come here seeking support and improvements. The company responsible for food provision does not offer quality meals," she laments.

In a statement, the Ministry of Health stated that it has already initiated legal proceedings to ensure that the contracted companies comply with the terms of the contract. The Indigenous Health Department (Sesai) of the Ministry of Health is considering emergency measures to improve the quality of food and bedding provided to indigenous individuals at Casai. See the full statement below.

Regarding water, the federal government has stated that supplying water through mineral water jugs is inefficient due to the high demand at the facility, and the water in the water cooler always became hot. Therefore, "two industrial water coolers with high-capacity filters have been provided, and the water quality is periodically tested by the Indigenous Building and Sanitation Service (Sesani)."

Darcilene has been at Casai for almost 20 days. On September 7th, she broke her foot while on a bus to Rio Branco. She comes from the Água Preta/Inari Indigenous Reserve, Kassiriqui Village, located in the rural area of Pauini, a city in Amazonas State. She was on her way to Brasília to participate in the 3rd Indigenous Women's March, held on the 13th of September in the capital of Brazil.

After injuring her foot, Darcilene returned to Boca do Acre and was referred by a doctor to the Emergency Room in Rio Branco. From there, she was transferred to Casai for treatment and accommodation.

"There is also a shortage of cleaning supplies here. The staff only cleans with water. They are not receiving the necessary supplies. There are no bed sheets for patients, the beds are old and easily breakable. There is no air conditioning in the accommodation, and there are a lot of people. Some individuals have to sleep on the floor because they can't sleep on the beds with canvas mattresses due to the intense heat. Having these canvas mattresses requires air conditioning to withstand the heat," she criticized.

The indigenous councilor recorded some videos inside the accommodations, showing the water reservoir from which patients drink and the food trays served. "The meat remains in the tray because it is inedible. The soup is equally unappetizing, the chicken is raw and pale, as if it hasn't been seasoned. Relatives have to make their own fish if they have the money to buy it. This is at Casai in Rio Branco. It has always been like this. There is a beautiful and wonderful menu on the kitchen door, but it is never followed," she describes in the video.

The councilor also mentioned that other indigenous individuals who had stayed at Casai before had complained about the conditions they found there. "Raw rice, scorching heat, inhumane conditions. I am here with my daughter, who drank this water and developed an intestinal infection. Indigenous people come in with one issue and leave with another. They drink inadequate water, and it seems like this tank has never been cleaned," she concluded.

Statement from Sesai in full:

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