The Pirahã indigenous people are, once again, under threat of extermination due to the precariousness of health assistance. The one health team that attends them is not sufficient and even that one does not have the necessary conditions to provide better service.

The Pirahã are a semi-nomadic people, which is yet another reason to have extreme caution with their health.

 

Malaria kills

As in other regions of the Amazon-area, two main health threats continue to be malaria and tuberculosis. Throughout 2008 ten Pirahã died, showing clear symptoms of malaria.

On August 17 of 2008 died Tchecepoe Pirahã, 91 years of age, victim of tuberculosis. He was one of 13 indigenous patients of that people with confirmed diagnosis of this disease, according to a survey made by the Special Indigenous Sanitation District – Dsei/Manaus, in the period of 18/10/2007 – 02/11/2007 (see CIMI newsletter 822: https://cimi.org.br/?system=news&action=read&id=3289&eid=275).

This survey sampled 52 of a total of 190 individuals of seven villages located along the Maici river, in the municipality of Humaitá (AM). Considering that 13 cases were found on 52 individuals, it is highly probable that many more Pirahã are ill.

CIMI – North (Amazonas/Roraima) alerts that other deaths could occur if no emergency measures are adopted to diagnose and treat the tuberculosis cases among this people.

 

In view of this particular situation, it is urgent that the National Health Foundation – FUNASA, create at least one more team with professionals, equipment and all infrastructure necessary to screen the rest of the population and to treat the confirmed cases.

 

CIMI wonders and laments that the results from the research made in 2007 were only concluded and published at the beginning of the month of August of 2008. In this interval, many patients could have begun treatment and in this way, avoiding contagion of other indigenous people.

 

 

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