The Government of São Paulo sent a letter to the Ministry of Health asking for immediate measures to regularize the supply of contrast in health units in the state.
On the 12th, the ministry sent a note to the states and municipalities in which it recognizes “serious risk of shortage of essential contrast media for carrying out tests and procedures” and asked for the rational use of the input in the units.
As measures for rational use, he suggests postponing elective procedures, reducing the volume of contrast and even increasing the dilution of the input when possible.
Brazil has been experiencing a blackout of medicines and medical supplies in recent months due to import difficulties. Despite the alert from several entities, the Ministry of Health has not yet found solutions to the widespread shortages in the country.
In São Paulo, the low stock has already led hospitals to postpone the performance of procedures and elective exams that require iodinated or non-iodinated contrast, such as MRIs, CT scans and catheterization. The supply has been reserved to meet urgent and emergency cases.
The low stock of contrast in health units in São Paulo has been observed for at least five weeks.
Eduardo Ribeiro, executive secretary of the state secretariat, says that the government decided to send the letter after receiving a note from the ministry with recommendations for the “rational use” of the input.
“What the ministry recommends we are already doing. Our concern is that the federal government does not signal which actions they have adopted to solve the problem, if there is any forecast of replenishment of the stock”, says Ribeiro.
The letter sent by the state government on Monday (18) asks the ministry to inform within 48 hours “what measures/actions are being taken to address the problem”.
“We are already doing our part, postponing elective procedures, spacing appointments more. But, in order not to leave the population unattended, we need better planning, some solution forecast”, says Ribeiro.
In the technical note sent to states and municipalities, the Ministry of Health says that the “shortage of contrast media is global and of great concern” and attributes the shortage to the closure of ports in China, with the lockdown to contain Covid-19.
China is the main supplier of contrasts for the Brazilian industry, which in general only packs the product to sell to health units and networks.
According to the official letter from the government of São Paulo, the companies that supply contrast have signaled that the normalization of service to all demands will only take place at the end of this year.
“We have been monitoring inventories and relocating between units to ensure that none of them is out of stock. In Sorocaba, for example, there was a more difficult situation and rationalization was intensified to ensure that urgent and emergency care continues to happen. “, says Ribeiro.
Medical entities and health managers have been demanding actions from the Ministry of Health to solve the shortage. As the problem occurs due to import difficulties, they suggest, for example, that the federal government should seek to acquire medicines and supplies from neighboring countries or from international organizations.
In recent weeks, surveys by entities have shown that pharmacies and health units are suffering from a lack of antibiotics, antiallergic and analgesics, medicines considered essential.
Questioned by Sheet about the lack of contrast and if there is any action planned to restore stocks in the country, the Ministry of Health said that the purchase of the input is not its responsibility and that the orientation for rational use was a “measure to reduce shortages” .
Chad-98Weaver, a distinguished author at NewsBulletin247, excels in the craft of article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a penchant for storytelling, Chad delivers informative and engaging content that resonates with readers across various subjects. His contributions are a testament to his dedication and expertise in the field of journalism.
