Educação em saúde indígena na Paraíba: atores participativos da atenção integral à saúde dos indígenas em seus territórios

Abstract

Bearing in mind the socio-environmental vulnerability of indigenous territories in Brazil, as well as the history of the achievement of specific public health policies for indigenous peoples, the emergency of training professionals in health areas, who are members of indigenous society, becomes necessary. This work has the general objective of analyzing indigenous health education in Brazil, focusing on the structure of the Special Secretariat for Indigenous Health (SESAI) and the Special Indigenous Health Districts (DSEIs), taking as an example the Potiguara indigenous ethnic group in the state of Paraíba.The implementation of the National Policy for Indigenous Health Care (PNASPI) and the integration between contemporary health services and traditional knowledge are discussed. The research, of a qualitative and bibliographic nature, highlights as positive the training of Indigenous Health Agents (AIS) and Indigenous Environment Sanitation Technician (AISAN) and the role of these professionals as cultural mediators and promoters of preventive actions. It is concluded that SESAI adopts a management model that integrates infrastructure (DEAMB) and direct assistance (DAPSI), combining technical knowledge and traditional indigenous knowledge. This approach promotes access to scientific health, environmental preservation through sanitation and respect for local cultures, strengthening trust between indigenous communities and the Multidisciplinary Indigenous Health Teams (EMSI). However, despite the advances, challenges persist, such as the need for greater professional recognition and expanded access to differentiated and specific health services.