Vivências e saberes da assistência à saúde no enfrentamento da pandemia pelo novo coronavírus na população indígena das etnias Kanela e Guajajara no Estado do Maranhão

Abstract

COVID-19 is a pathology that can culminate in a potentially serious acute respiratory infection of global distribution, being the largest pandemic in recent human history caused by the new coronavirus. In such an unusual moment as this, it is important to report the experience lived in assisting indigenous peoples in an attempt to bring the discussion about health actions aimed at vulnerable groups and how it is essential for professionals to know the reality for which care is intended. This study aimed to discuss the experience with the indigenous population of the Kanela and Guajajara ethnicities about the health care provided during the confrontation of the pandemic caused by the new coronavirus. This is a narrative research based on documentary evidence of referenced experience on health care for vulnerable groups in the State of Maranhão throughout the month of June 2020 and the fourth week of February 2021. The report comprised a timeline from the idealization, planning and execution of actions, starting from a global scenario to a regional one, to the development of the practices experienced. It was found that, in a period with limited information about this amazing pathology, misinformation, bad information and Fake News about the pandemic formed a scenario that, combined with other social determinants of health, were decisive in the spread of the virus in countless countries. villages. With 1,268 consultations, 986 rapid tests were carried out to detect antibodies to SARS-COV-2 and, during the vaccination period, application of 174 doses of immunizations against COVID-19, among other results, the lived experience showed the potential of educational actions and how fundamental it is to be aware of the opportunities for health education activities that arise on a daily basis; also highlighted the importance of correctly feeding information systems with the purpose of generating decision support data that will help in the conduction of health actions. It is concluded, therefore, that it is essential to create public health policies that reach people with high social vulnerability, including indigenous people, always taking into account the social determinants of health, such as culture and environment, and especially listening to what these peoples have to say and their desires.