Annex 2

Report of the meeting presenting the results of the International Seminar on Exposure to Silica, held in Brasilia, December 12, 2000, at the headquarters of the International Labor Organization.

Participants:

• Armand Pereira – ILO / BRAZIL

• Alcinéia M. dos Anjos Santos – FUNDACENTRO

• Ana Maria Tibiriçá Good – FUNDACENTRO

• Beatriz Cunha – ILO / BRAZIL

• Berenice Goelzeer – WHO / GENEVA

• Ciro Varejao – MPAS

• Eduardo Algranti – FUNDACENTRO

• Gilson Lucio Rodrigues – FUNDACENTRO

• Jacinta de Fátima Sena da Silva – COSAT / MS

• Jacira Cancio – PAHO / WHO / BRAZIL

• Lenio Sérvio Amaral – FUNDACENTRO

• Luiz Carlos Fadel – COSAT / MS

• Néri Alcioly – ILO / BRAZIL

• Mario Bonciani – DSST / MTE

• Zuher Handar – PARANÁ’S EVANGELICAL COLLEGE

Schedule:

1. Opening by Dr. Armand Pereira – ILO Director in Brazil

2. Presentation of the proposed ILO / WHO Joint Program for the Elimination of Silicosis by Dr. Berenice Goelzer of WHO Geneva

3. Presentation of the report of the Curitiba Seminar by Dr. Zuher Handar as representative of the Organizing Committee of the event.

4. Comments and Debates from participants:

• Magnitude of the problem

  • Need to estimate the real magnitude of the problem.

  • Identify available statistical data or recommend research from Universities and Research Institutes.

  • Search for more information on the subject and the problem in Brazil and create a database on silica and silicosis exposure.

  • Management with INSS / DATAPREV to update statistical data on the disease.

• Cost benefit

  • Evaluate the cost of the Silicosis Elimination Program, establishing the cost-benefit ratio between the investment in the Program and the cost of cases that have been occurring.

  • Raise Social Security costs with notified or benefit-generating cases.

  • Identify the costs with benefits, treatment and hospitalization with silicotics.

  • Estimate social costs for patients’ families.

• Actions in progress

  • Occupational Lung Diseases Committee at the Ministry of Health with actions on Silicosis and Asbestosis

  • Actions being taken by FUNDACENTRO and DSST / MTEM

  • Identify the actions being developed in various parts of the country and create the database of these experiences.

• Partnership

  • Invite other social actors involved in the issue and establish a partnership in the elaboration and execution of the National Plan: representatives of workers, employers, government agencies, the Public Prosecutor, Universities, Training Institutions

  • Conduct the Workshop with the participation of workers and employers to present the seminar results report and the proposal for the elaboration of the National Silicosis Elimination Program.

• disclosure

  • Promote wide dissemination of existing educational materials such as the Worker / FUNDACENTRO handbook.

  • Promote a National Silicose Elimination Campaign using the media.

  • Promote the dissemination of silica and silicosis by economic sectors and in the unions involved and in events.

  • Create a website on the internet.

  • Make existing texts such as WHO on silicosis available through the websites of several related institutions.

• National Silicosis Elimination Program

  • To define an inter-institutional articulation strategy that includes the participation of governmental and non-governmental organizations to elaborate a planning that integrates the state and society actions, defining responsibilities, goals and execution schedule.

  • Organize a Project Coordination Center under the coordination of the ILO / WHO that will advise on the preparation and monitoring of Program implementation. This Center will have an ILO / WHO Advisory Group and an Executive Advisory Council made up of government representatives and representatives of the social actors directly involved.

  • Creation of the provisional Coordination Center formed by the institutions present and the organizing committee of the Curitiba Seminar.

  • Preparation of a reference document for the ILO and WHO to present to the Brazilian government the proposal of the National Silicose Elimination Program

• Immediate Referrals

  • To officialize to the Brazilian Government the proposal of a National Program for the Elimination of Silicosis in cooperation with the Joint ILO / WHO Program.

  • Creation of Provisional Coordination Center

  • Promote the Workshop with workers, employers and other partners to define the strategy for preparing the Program.

  • Prepare reference document on the proposal.

  • Create the site about silicosis.