SUS will be able to distribute covid self-test to beneficiaries of Auxílio Brasil – Senado Notícias

Senator Ruggiero Carvalho (PT-SE) introduced a bill establishing free distribution of covid-19 self-tests to low-income populations (PL 2224/2022).

According to the text, the Unified Health System (SUS) will distribute a monthly self-test to its users who benefit from Auxílio Brasil or Benefit from Continuous Savings (BPC). Public authority may require identification of the user in the SUS records, as well as proof that they are entitled to at least one of these benefits. In the event of a positive result, the user assumes the obligation to report his status, through a particular application.

The bill also specifies that anyone who sells or advertises the sale of self-tests received from the SUS will be subject to a public health offense, and may be sentenced to six months to two years in prison and a fine. If the crime is committed by a public prosecutor, the penalty may be doubled.

According to the proposal, the purchase of self-tests will be the responsibility of the federal director of SUS, and the local director will be responsible for distribution. The text also provides for campaigns to educate the population on the proper use of self-tests and indicates that expenditures for purchasing the kits will be financed from the resources of the National Health Fund.

In justifying the project, Ruggiero-Carvalho notes that self-tests have performed an important social function, significantly reducing the cost of accessing a diagnosis, allowing people who test positive for the presence of the antigen to quickly enter social isolation, preserving the health of their family members and those close to you.

The author argues that in order for Covid-19 to be brought under control, it is necessary to extend the distribution of self-tests to the most modest people. For the senator, his project is a way to improve monitoring of disease development in the country. according to Ministry of HealthBrazil has so far recorded more than 681,000 deaths due to the Corona virus.

Agência Senado (Reproduction authorized with reference to Agência Senado)