FIOCRUZ RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19

29-May-2020

Fiocruz is an Associate of the ENRICH in Brazil Centre.

Fiocruz celebrates its 120th anniversary this Monday, May 25. The date comes right when Brazil and the world are facing the biggest public health, economical, social, humanitarian and political challenge of the 21st century: the Covid-19 pandemic. The institution was founded with the name Instituto Soroterápico Federal [Federal Soroterapic Institute], with the purpose of fighting epidemics such as the bubonic plague, yellow fever, and small pox, which threatened Rio de Janeiro, then capital of the Republic. More than a century later, now in the midst of the new coronavirus pandemic, the current Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, the largest institution of biomedical research in Latin America, continues to be in the frontline against diseases.

The castle, built in mourish style, is Fiocruz main simbol. Photo: André Az.

Fiocruz president, Nísia Trindade Lima, states that “the Foundation, which is present in all Brazilian regions, has been committed day and night to presenting proposals and solutions, elaborating research that can answer to questions still without answers, formulating and implanting strategic actions of health care and promotion, such as the construction of the Hospital Center for the Covid-19 Pandemic, a reference action with the Ministry of Health, among many other initiatives”. She adds that “now that it is turning 120 years, Fiocruz strengthens its compromise with SUS [the Brazilian Public Health Service], this great fortress Brazil has at the moment, and which needs to be reinforced. Fiocruz also strengthens its committment to actions that focuse on the safeguarding the life of the population”.

Lima reminds us that “since the early 20th century and the great work carried out by Oswaldo Cruz, Carlos Chagas and many other scientists, who faced the epidemics of the time and the conditions that were then called “sertão diseases”, the diseases found in the Brazilian hinterland, such as Chagas disease, our institution is part of the country’s heritage, as it reveals the value of science dedicated to solving the great questions of the life of Brazilians. And not only of Brazilians, once the Foundation has international cooperation and reach, including in projects related to the new coronavirus pandemic”.

More info: https://portal.fiocruz.br/en/news/fiocruz-turns-120-years-facing-biggest-challenge-21st-century