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| Morro Velho in Brazil, in
partnership with local municipalities, communities and other
institutions, recently contributed US$198,000 to the establishment
of the Reference Centre for Pneumology in the town of Nova Lima. The
centre provides free service for the diagnosis and treatment of
silicosis and associated diseases. |
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Case studies
South America |
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| 7.8 Morro Velho in partnership with
local communities |
Morro Velho in Brazil, in partnership with
local municipalities, communities and other institutions,
recently contributed US$198,000 to the establishment of the
Reference Centre for Pneumology in the town of Nova Lima. An
additional US$100,000 was allocated towards consultations and
medication during 2003.
Morro Velho and the town of Nova Lima are almost synonymous,
with the company having drawn its employees largely from the
people that reside there over the past 100 years. Although
silicosis is currently not a threat to the health of employees ?
only one case has been reported in the past six years ? the
disease was frequently undetected and untreated in the past.
This has now changed, thanks to the new Reference Centre. The
centre, which provides free services for the diagnosis and
treatment of silicosis and associated diseases, has its own team
of specialist physicians, including ancillary services such as
social work, physical therapy and a pharmacy.
The centre, which was inaugurated in May 2003, is the largest of
its kind in the country and offers out-patient treatment only.
However, should patients require hospital treatment, they are
referred to the Nossa Senhora de Lourdes Hospital, adjacent to
the centre. To date, more than 5,000 former employees have been
assessed. In addition to the medical assistance given to all
patients, social workers are also on hand to assist the
individual and the family in dealing with the illness, and with
financial and family-related issues. Former employees who were found to have silicosis are also eligible for compensation.
The centre is also engaged in partnerships with universities and
research centres in furthering studies on lung disease. |
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