In a virtual meeting with other health ministers from the countries that make up Mercosur, Eduardo Pazuello defended this Thursday (3) that the change of protocol that started to guide the treatment of Covid-19 "made and makes a difference" in the evolution of disease in Brazil.
In July, the Ministry of Health changed a protocol and recommended that people with mild symptoms typical of the disease see a doctor, for early diagnosis of Covid-19. Before, the guideline indicated the search for professional help only in case of more severe symptoms.
In addition, in May, after President Jair Bolsonaro's determination, the ministry released a document that expanded the possibility of using chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine for patients with mild and severe symptoms of the new coronavirus. However, the text recognized the lack of sufficient evidence of efficacy, and the patient's consent term cited a risk of worsening the clinical condition.
At the meeting, Pazuello reiterated that the curve of coronavirus cases and deaths in Brazil is “elongated” because the country has continental dimensions. Different regions were affected at different times of the pandemic. Then he made a case for changing the protocol to seek early treatment.
Translated by Kiratiana Freelon