THE IMPORTANCE OF INTERSECTORAL COLLABORATION

travel through several streets in the city and raise the population's awareness on the importance of the topic. The motorcade reached the homes of the families served, where home visitors could make contact with the children, even if from a distance and respecting the biosafety rules.

On Children's Day, celebrated in Brazil on October 12, visitors ran a toy drive with the help of sponsors. The toys were first sanitized and then distributed, making the day happier for the little ones.

THE VISITOR'S SENSITIVITY WAS ESSENTIAL FOR ACTIVATING THE SOCIAL AND HEALTHCARE NETWORK

Josué Almeida Anjos

Program: Criança Feliz

City: São Domingos do Capim - Pará (PA)

During the coronavirus pandemic, visitors from São Domingos do Capim (PA), including Josué Almeida dos Anjos , noticed that residents of remote areas with little access to technological resources were becoming completely unattended. They then decided to change the action strategy to ensure assistance was given to vulnerable families with small children and/or expectant mothers.

In addition to the “remote visits/approaches” by phone, the visitors also started in-person visits to families lacking access to technology that enabled remote contact, respecting all biosafety and social distancing protocols. These in-person visits were essential in preventing people with COVID-19 symptoms from getting worse. Without access to the healthcare system due to mobility difficulties, the families had no one to turn to, and the visitor's presence allowed the social assistance network to be set in motion and adequate referral to healthcare. “Our work allowed healthcare to reach these families immediately,” explained Josué.

Despite all the uncertainties at the time, the visitors prepared the Pandemic Action Plan ( Plano de Ação Diante da Pandemia) at the beginning of the pandemic to maintain assistance to families. “It wasn't so easy to prepare this plan because we didn't know how long this situation would last. Over the days/months, we implemented the plan and adapted new practices,” explained Josué.

Initially, contact only took place remotely, and the families received guidance through text messages or phone calls. These messages reinforced personal hygiene, the use of masks, and COVID-19 social distancing measures. As the months went by and considering the need to assist families with no access to telephone and internet, contact was made in person, with monthly visits.

Josué feels very gratified with the results of his work. “Fortunately, we had no deaths within the family groups that are part of our program. We managed to get some prenatal and food assistance for expectant mothers who were in urgent need, and today we can see in the mothers’ smiles and children's hugs that better days are ahead."