Clipping of news on Brazilian Culture, Law and Citizenship
04/08/2013
This article was translated by an automatic translation system, and was therefore not reviewed by people.
Number of units program against smoking may be ten times higher.
Ministry of Health says smoking kills 200,000 Brazilians annually.
The Ministry of Health issued on Monday (8), through the Official Gazette, new guidelines that will expand access to users of the Unified Health System (SUS) to treatments for smoking cessation.
From now on, all units that are part of the National Programme for Improving Access and Quality will have the option of offering treatment to smokers. According to the Ministry, the new rules may increase from about 3000 to about 30,000 the number of SUS units affiliated to the National Tobacco Control (NPTC).
In 2012, approximately 175,000 patients were treated through this program, 1,159 municipalities. With the changes, the treatment may be offered in 5100 municipalities.
Another objective of the measure is to enable health professionals to assist them in the fight against tobacco on more than one front. In addition to providing medicines that help quitting smoking, the Ministry also promises to give psychological assistance to encourage patients and prevent them from quitting the therapy.
The Ministry of Health has invested £ 12 million in treatment to smokers in 2012. In 2013, the same $ 12 million should be allocated to the purchase of medicines, but the total investment could reach $ 60 million, depending on the accession of SUS units.
The latest research Vigitel, held annually by the Ministry of Health, indicated that 14.8% of Brazilians over the age of 18 smoke. The purpose of this folder is to reduce the number to 9% by the year 2022.
Smoking is a major risk factor for the incidence of infarction, cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) and several types of cancer. According to estimates of the Ministry, about 200 thousand Brazilians die each year due to smoking-related illnesses.
Source: G1 - Welfare
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This article was translated by an automatic translation system, and was therefore not reviewed by people.