InfectoTchê gains prominence in meeting with the State Health Secretariat.

An event organized by the Rio Grande do Sul Society of Infectology was the topic of a meeting with Lisiane Fagundes and reinforced the importance of integration between science, healthcare, and public administration.

The convergence of science, healthcare, and public administration marked the agenda held this Monday, May 11th, at the Fernando Ferrari Administrative Center in Porto Alegre. The president of the Rio Grande do Sul Society of Infectology (SGI), Dimas Alexandre Kliemann, participated in a meeting with the new Secretary of Health of Rio Grande do Sul, Lisiane Fagundes, alongside the president of the Rio Grande do Sul Medical Association (AMRIGS), Dr. Gerson Junqueira Jr., and the Auditor-General for Health Systems and Services of the State Health Secretariat (SES), Bruno Naundorf. One of the main points of focus of the meeting was the 7th InfectoTchê event, which will be held on May 22nd and 23rd at the Hilton Porto Alegre.

Promoted by SGI, InfectoTchê will bring together national experts and international speakers to discuss the main contemporary challenges in Infectology, focusing on infectious diseases, scientific innovation, care, prevention, and public health policies. Established as one of the leading scientific events in the Southern Region in this area, the congress gains even more relevance given the epidemiological scenario of HIV in Rio Grande do Sul.

During the meeting, the president of the Rio Grande do Sul Society of Infectology, Dimas Alexandre Kliemann, highlighted the importance of expanding dialogue between medical societies, public administrators, and health institutions to address the state's HIV-related indicators.

"Rio Grande do Sul presents a scenario that demands attention, technical responsibility, and joint mobilization. InfectoTchê will be a fundamental space for us to discuss evidence-based strategies, raise awareness about early diagnosis, and strengthen prevention and care policies," he stated.

One of the highlights of the program will be the official launch of the Porto Alegre Charter, an initiative born as a collective movement between civil society, public managers, and the medical community to confront the HIV epidemic in Rio Grande do Sul. The document is guided by scientific evidence and the principles of dignity, empathy, and equity, proposing the strengthening of actions such as universal testing, early diagnosis, immediate treatment, and combined prevention, including oral PrEP and long-acting injectable PrEP.

The agenda also addressed the need to expand the availability of HIV testing across different medical specialties, making testing a more natural, accessible, and integrated practice within routine healthcare. The proposal aims to reduce stigma, promote timely diagnosis, and increase public access to prevention and treatment strategies.

The state Secretary of Health, Lisiane Fagundes, emphasized that the issue demands attention and coordination among different stakeholders. "If the numbers were satisfactory, we wouldn't need to be debating this topic. We need to bring more stakeholders into this discussion and advance effective strategies to face this challenge," she stated.

During the meeting, the president of the Medical Association of Rio Grande do Sul (AMRIGS), Dr. Gerson Junqueira Jr., highlighted the importance of closer ties between medical entities and public authorities to strengthen healthcare for the population.

“We want to maintain a close and collaborative relationship with the State Health Secretariat. AMRIGS is available to contribute technically to issues relevant to Medicine and the health of the people of Rio Grande do Sul. This alignment is fundamental for us to advance in joint projects and actions,” stated the president of the Medical Association of Rio Grande do Sul, Dr. Gerson Junqueira Jr.

More information about the 7th InfectoTchê can be found on the official website : https://www.infectotche.com.br/

Written by: Marcelo Matusiak / Collaboration: Ana Carolina Lopes/ASCOM AMRIGS