São Gonçalo City Hall

São Gonçalo strengthens assistance and guidance actions

The Municipal Secretary of Health and Civil Protection of São Gonçalo works throughout the year with prevention and assistance actions for people living in Gonçalo who have or want to avoid being infected with HIV/AIDS. One of the services offered is pre-exposure prophylaxis (Prep), which creates a protective barrier against the HIV virus, with 98% effectiveness. The purpose is to prevent and not cure or cure the disease. Prep does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea.

Preparation is the daily use of oral antiretroviral drugs over a period of time to prevent transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in people who are not infected. It is indicated for anyone over the age of 15 and over 35 kilos with the new protocol of the Ministry of Health, updated in August this year. Previously it was only allowed for certain priority segments of the population: gay men, men who have sex with men, serodiscordant couples (when one partner lives with HIV/AIDS and the other doesn’t), the trans population and female workers in the sex.

For example, HIV-negative women who want to get pregnant with a partner who lives with HIV or who have frequent HIV exposure situations can use Prep throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding to protect themselves and the baby.

To gain access, the Gonçalense does not need to have had exposure (have sex without a condom). “If the person is at risk, usually having sex without a condom with different partners and with a life context that presents a risk of contracting HIV, they can use Prep,” explained Monique Gonzalez, coordinator of the STI/AIDS Program and viral hepatitis at the Policlínica Reference Gonçalense for chronic and communicable diseases.

Prep is a combination of two drugs that block certain “pathways” that HIV uses to infect the body. Daily use of Prep can prevent HIV from settling and spreading in the body. The prevention method is not suitable for people who already had or have a liver problem, as the medicine can affect the kidney and liver functions and aggravate the condition.

Three health units have Prep in São Gonçalo: Gonçalense Reference Polyclinic for Chronic and Communicable Diseases, in Parada 40; Hélio Cruz Sanitary Hub, in Alcântara and Clínica da Família Dr. Zerbini, in Arsenal, always from Monday to Friday, from 8 to 17.

Treatment units, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm HIV:

1. Polyclínica Gonçalense of reference for chronic and communicable diseases, Parada 40;
2. Hélio Cruz Health Center, Alcântara;
3. Dr. Zerbini Family Clinic, Arsenale.

Hepatitis B and C:

1. Polyclínica Gonçalense of reference for chronic and communicable diseases, Parada 40;
2. PAM Alcântara (appointment on Friday);

Syphilis:

1. Hélio Cruz Health Center, Alcântara;
2. Jorge Texeira de Lima Health Center, Jardim Catarina;
3. Paulo Marques Rangel Health Center, Porto do Rosa;
4. Washington Health Center Luiz Lopes, Zé Garoto;
5. Augusto Sena Health Center, Rio de Ouro;
6. Gonçalense Municipal Clinic of Barro Vermelho;
7. Dr. Jardel do Amaral Family Clinic, Venda da Cruz;
8. Gonçalense Municipal Clinic of Mutondo;
9. Euryclides Municipal Clinic of Jesus Zerbini, Arsenale;
10. Gonçalense reference hospital for chronic and communicable diseases, Parada 40.

Prep Service Locations (No Appointment: Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm)

1. Polyclínica Gonçalense of reference for chronic and communicable diseases, Parada 40;
2. Hélio Cruz Health Center, Alcântara;
3. Dr. Zerbini Family Clinic, Arsenale.

LPEP Service Centers (without appointment: Monday to Friday, from 8:00 to 17:00)

1. Hélio Cruz Health Center, Alcântara
2. Luiz Lopes Washington Health Center, Zé Garoto
3. Augusto Sena Health Center, Rio do Ouro
4. Paulo Marques Rangel Health Center, Portão do Rosa
5. Jorge Teixeira de Lima Health Center, Jardim Catarina
6. Gonçalense del Mutondo Clinic
7. Goncalense do Barro Vermelho Clinic
8. Dr. Zerbini Family Clinic, Arsenale
9. Polyclínica Gonçalense of reference for chronic and communicable diseases

Urgency and Emergency, every day after 5.00pm

1. Central Emergency Department, Zé Garoto
2. Children’s Emergency Room (PSI), Zé Garoto – children up to 14 years old
3. Umpa of New Town
4. Umpa do Pacheco