Mayor announces reopening of UPA Costa Barros, after criminal invasion paralyzes services

The UPA has been closed since September 30, after being invaded during the early hours of the morning by armed men who kidnapped two patients - Fabio Motta/City of Rio

Mayor Eduardo Paes announced this Saturday (October 18th), during a visit to the Costa Barros UPA, that the unit will reopen on October 27th. It has been closed since September 30th, after being invaded during the early hours of the morning by armed men who kidnapped two patients, in addition to several other episodes of violence that threatened the safety of health professionals and patients. The Municipal Health Department (SMS) has already demanded that state security forces take steps to ensure the unit can operate without risks to staff and users.

"The UPA will reopen on the 27th. I spoke with Governor Cláudio Castro this morning, and he once again reaffirmed the public security forces' commitment to protecting them, especially the unit's professionals. I want to leave a very clear message: City Hall will not stop providing public services anywhere in the city. It is unacceptable that these thugs continue to threaten health professionals and jeopardize public health care. The message is very clear: come back on the 27th, and we will take advantage of this opportunity to make some reforms. There are issues on which there is no distinction between City Hall and the State Government. This is a commitment by the Brazilian State to not allow these incidents to happen again," said Eduardo Paes, accompanied by Deputy Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere and Health Secretary Daniel Soranz.

Over the past week, the SMS has been preparing for the Costa Barros UPA to reopen. Surveillance cameras have been installed inside and on the unit's facade. Equipment maintenance is also being carried out, as are replacements of supplies with near expiration dates, as well as other perishable products.

The Costa Barros UPA is one of the city's units most impacted by violence. In addition to the September 30th invasion, a doctor's car was recently hit by gunfire while parked in front of the unit. An ambulance carrying healthcare professionals was also hijacked and taken into the community, grenades were left nearby, and other incidents have put the lives of not only staff but also patients at risk. This year, through September, 78 people with gunshot wounds were taken to the Costa Barros UPA for treatment, almost double the number recorded in all of last year and practically triple the number in 2023. Because of this situation, several professionals have already resigned.

Since 2023, the SMS has been sending letters to the State Secretariats of Public Security and Military Police requesting measures to guarantee the safety of public health units, both emergency and primary care, located within the communities. This year alone, a family clinic or municipal health center has had to close 782 times due to armed violence in the communities, and outpatient services have been interrupted 1.991 times.

After the invasion of the Pedro II Municipal Hospital, in the early hours of September 18, and the UPA Costa Barros, less than two weeks later, new letters were sent to the State Secretariat of Public Security, still without a response.