Paraisopolis, one of the largest favelas in Brazil, is home to over 100,000 residents who have been left without government assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The complex network of narrow alleys and stacked houses makes it difficult for medical services to reach many areas, posing significant challenges in rescuing those infected.
Gilson Rodrigues, a dedicated community leader in Paraisopolis, highlighted the dire situation: \"Ambulances do not come to the area, which means if a quick response saves lives, people in Paraisopolis have a lower chance of survival.\" In response to this crisis, Rodrigues, along with several doctors and nurses, formed a seven-person rescue team and secured three ambulances to provide much-needed assistance.
Enderson Matos, a nurse with 15 years of experience, is now part of the frontline rescue team in the favela. Matos made the difficult decision to leave his home and family to work directly on the front lines to save lives. He expressed his commitment, stating, \"I'm not afraid of the coronavirus, that is my mission.\"
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
