Official Portal of the City Hall of Campos dos Goytacazes

Through the Assistance Program for Patients with Asthma and Rhinitis (Proapar), the Municipal Health Department guarantees free and appropriate treatment for people with respiratory diseases. Implemented in 2009, during the government of former mayor Rosinha Garotinho, the program has more than 5,000 registered patients, ranging from babies to the elderly. Until 2011, there were 1,810 registrations. On average, per week, the program performs 100 medical appointments.

Maylla, age 5, is one such patient. At 8 months old, according to her grandmother, Marialda de Sousa Silva, 53, she had her first asthma attack.

“At the time, she was seen at the PU in Guarus, where the Clínica da Criança works today, and there they referred her to the program. Since then, the seizures have greatly improved. The professionals at Proapar are very attentive and dedicated. In addition, we leave here with the next appointment scheduled and that makes our life a lot easier”, said the grandmother, who lives in Parque Cidade Luz.

Francielle de Oliveira Lima, director of the municipality’s Health Programs, explained that, to be assisted by the program, the person needs a medical referral from a public health unit. “Proapar assists patients with diseases and disorders that compromise the respiratory system, such as asthma, allergic rhinitis and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)”, she said.

She also said that the treatment proposed by the program aims to prevent chronic limitations, maintain better lung function, avoid crises and visits to emergency services, thus reducing the need to use bronchodilators for relief and improve quality of life. Proapar operates from Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 5 pm, at the Health Department, located at Rua Voluntários da Pátria, nº 875, Centro.

On days when there is no medical care with an allergist or pulmonologist, the professionals welcome those who seek the program for guidance or to schedule their first appointment.