Bernardo hasn’t been born yet, but he’s already in line for surgery. Valéria Prada’s baby is at increasing risk of death while waiting for the procedure, which, according to the Court, must be provided by the State Department of Health (SES).
The son of administrative assistant Valéria Prada was diagnosed with a malformation in the abdominal wall. The surgery, which can save the baby’s life, costs more than R$ 1 million and is not performed by the SUS or in Tocantins.
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In a note, the Secretary of State for Health reported that Valéria will be assisted by Out-of-Home Treatment (TFD) and has an appointment scheduled for next Monday (10) in São Paulo. (see note below)
The surgery to save Bernardo’s life can be done even before he comes into the world and it is for this procedure that the mother fights in court.
“I sometimes feel invalid, because we don’t have the condition he needs. If I had the condition to say that we have it, that we will bear all of this without needing help from anyone, if I had that, we would have dropped everything”, comments Valéria.
/i.s3.glbimg.com/v1/AUTH_59edd422c0c84a879bd37670ae4f538a/internal_photos/bs/2023/N/R/t26a7BRYWO5ckHNMB4nA/11761404-640x360.jpg "Mother fights for BRL 1 million surgery to save the life of her unborn child 4")
Pregnant woman waits for procedure that could save her son’s life — Photo: Reproduction/TV Anhanguera
Faced with the urgency of the surgery, Valéria sought help from the Public Defender’s Office, which filed a lawsuit and managed to get her and the baby to be treated by the SUS in court. The judge authorized the administrative procedure to be carried out in a less bureaucratic and faster way by SES.
The decision is dated June 28th and determined that the surgery be done immediately until the 26th week of pregnancy. Valeria arrived at the 27th week and the procedure has not yet been done.
The Public Defender’s Office asked for the blocking of the amount related to the baby’s operation and awaits the decision in the second instance.
Considering the specialists’ recommendation, the sooner the surgery is performed, the greater Bernardo’s chances of survival. “From then on, this patient has a survival rate of up to 50% after surgery, which was previously 5%, so this is important”, explains doctor Gabriel Monteiro.
The mother, who dreamed of her son, is now experiencing moments of fear and uncertainty. “When we found out it was a wonderful feeling! Bernardo was always desired by everyone in the family, not just by me and his father, but by everyone. What I want now is for everything to go well, for him to have his surgery and for him to return home”, comments Valéria.
What the State Department of Health says
The State Department of Health (SES-TO) informs that because it is a procedure not offered by the Unified Health System (SUS) and not carried out in the State of Tocantins, the patient mentioned will be attended via Out-of-Home Treatment (TFD) and she already has an appointment scheduled for Monday, July 10, with a specialist, in São Paulo (SP).
