Vanessa Pirolo points out queues of more than two years for treatment and incorrect use of medicines that can aggravate paintings
Diabetic retinopathy is one of the main complications of and can lead to loss of vision if not properly treated. According to Ministry of Health’s clinical protocols and guidelines, treatment should include at least eight applications of the anti-VEGF drug in the first year after diagnosis. However, data from Datasus and obtained via the Law of Access to Information indicates that this complete treatment is rarely performed.
“What we have seen is a widespread subtract. People are diagnosed, receive the promise of treatment, but are not accompanied according to medical guidelines. The result is the waste of public money and the aggravation of the health of the population,” says Vanessa Pirolo, president of Vozes do Advocy.
Voices of Advocacy is a conglomerate that brings together twenty -five associations and two institutes from all over Brazil, which are part of the Federation of Diabetes and Obesity Associations and Institutes, united in the sake of the causes of diabetes, obesity and their complications. “We aim to expand access to diagnosis and treatment, as well as promotion of public policies, which protect and support these populations. Unfortunately, the lines of more than two years for ophthalmic care and incorrect use of medicines aggravate the situation of millions of Brazilians with diabetes,” says the director.
In an exclusive interview with Young Pan Portalthe entity states that, despite the availability of drugs by the federal government, states are not applying the protocols correctly, wasting public resources and putting patients at risk of blindness. “The line for service with Ophthalmologists by SUS exceeds two years in some states, as shown the response of the São Paulo State Government to a request via the law of access to information. With this bottleneck, many patients cannot even start treatment before they have irreversible vision damage.”
Research demonstrates gravity of the scenario
The situation is even more worrying when the data from the latest edition of the National Diabetes Radar, a Vozes of Advocacy research with 1,843 people across the country. The survey revealed that 30% of patients had glycemic uncontrolled; 42% do not know or do not remember the last result of blood glucose exam; 12% reported diabetic retinopathy; 32% have neuropathy; 25% face cardiovascular disease; 23% suffer from sexual dysfunctions associated with the disease and 10% have nephropathy or feet injuries.
“Much of these complications could be avoided with regular access to experts and continuous follow -up. But what we see are endless lines, lack of training in primary care and a system that does not talk between different levels of care,” says the president. And it continues: “It is necessary to charge urgency in the implementation of effective public policies, focusing on early diagnosis, training of health professionals and the correct application of existing clinical protocols. I, who have been diabetes for 24 years I have been outraged to realize such difficulties.”
A struggle in constant evolution against the disease
The spokesman lists advances made over the years through complaints and notifications. “Since 2021, when the project has gained body, involving 27 diabetes organizations, we have been able to incorporate prolonged action analogous insulin in SUS; we denounce the lack of medicines and inputs to health secretariats as soon as people with diabetes notify organizations and if the authorities do not take initiatives, denounce in the media.”
Vanessa scores victories won by the union of various associations: “We had earnings inside Anvisa regarding the Glycosimeter Precision Project, we implemented vaccination day for people with diabetes, we enable more than 2000 SUS health professionals to treat people with diabetes; we illuminated the Senate and the House of Representatives with projections for World Diabetes Day and we have already sensitized more than 20 parliamentarians in the country over Disease, but it takes more, ”he says.
One of the main problems refers to the beginning of treatment: “Most people with diabetes are dealt with by the general practitioner. The waiting time for experts is immense and the consultation time is 15 minutes in SUS. In addition, the lack of training of health professionals in diabetes and endless waiting for the treatment itself collaborates for chaos.”
He concludes: “Municipalities should create training in diabetes for populations and the federal government should have a mechanism not to lack medicines and inputs in the country, health professionals should receive periodic training in diabetes. Civil society organizations could help the public power in these training, ie information is one of the most viable paths for changing status.”
