The World Health Organization (WHO) defines that being healthy corresponds to a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not just the absence of pathologies or illnesses. With this understanding as a starting point, basic health units (UBSs) are much more than just spaces to treat illnesses, encompassing a range of activities that promote the well-being of the body, mind and the community in which they are located. locate.
An example of this are community gardens, which combine therapy with care close to nature. The effects of “earth therapy” were noticed by retired Maria de Fátima Oliveira Souza – Dona Fátima –, aged 71. She has participated in the project since its implementation at UBS 1 in Águas Claras. “We have the pleasure of planting a seed, watching it germinate and transform into a beautiful plant, or a cabbage, a tomato, a pepper… something made for our food. It’s rewarding,” she says.
Maria de Fátima Souza: “It is gratifying to plant a seed, see it germinate and transform into a beautiful plant, a cabbage, a tomato, a pepper” | Photo: Alexandre Álvares/Agência Saúde-DF
Work in the community garden, which includes, for example, the production of citronella – effective in warding off Aedes aegypti, mosquito that transmits dengue fever – generate benefits for the physical and mental health of patients. “It is worth it. I know people who were suffering from depression and who, with terratherapy, say they improved by 90%, if not 100%”, adds Fátima.
At the head of the Family Health Strategy Directorate (Desf) of the Department of Health (SES-DF), Sandro Rodrigues agrees with the retiree. He explains that promoting health involves adopting healthy habits. “Performing physical activities, such as walking or swimming, and maintaining a healthy, more balanced diet, avoiding the consumption of sugar and ultra-processed foods, can be great allies. This does not necessarily mean having more expensive food. Community gardens are also important in this sense,” he points out.
Integrative Health Practices consider physical, mental, psychological, affective and spiritual aspects | Photo: Sandro Araújo/ Agência Saúde-DF
In addition to earth therapy, the retiree practices physical exercises twice a week at the UBS and is part of a group that meets every Friday to make crafts. The activities offered by professionals at UBS 1 in Águas Claras to the community are varied. They also include obesity care groups, learning groups for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), nutrition and healthy habits, among others.
Behind the actions
The activities developed within the UBSs are the responsibility of the Family Health teams (eSF), formed by a doctor and a nurse, two nursing technicians and at least one community health agent, with health professionals being able to add to this composition. Oral Health and multidisciplinary teams (eMulti).
In addition to providing care for small emergencies and community actions, the network of 176 UBSs also offers services such as vaccination, monitoring of chronic diseases, collection of exams, medication administration, educational activities and home visits, among others.
The comprehensive work developed by the units is also present in the so-called Integrative Health Practices (PIS). These are forms of care that address human health in its multidimensionality. They consider physical, mental, psychic, affective and spiritual aspects.
Currently, at SES-DF, practices such as acupuncture, art therapy, auriculotherapy, self-massage and phytotherapy are established | Photo: Tony Winston/Agência Saúde-DF
Currently, at SES-DF, practices such as acupuncture, art therapy, auriculotherapy, self-massage, phytotherapy, lian gong in 18 therapies, medicine and anthroposophic therapies, meditation, music therapy, reiki, shantala, tai chi chuan, integrative community therapy, ayurveda, yoga are instituted. (hatha and laya) and the stress reduction technique (TRE), as well as the Network of Biodynamic Medicinal Agroforestry Gardens (RHAMB).
Family Doctor and PIS manager at SES-DF, Marcos Trajano especially highlights the benefits generated by RHAMB. Already present in the seven health regions of the DF, the gardens are spaces for expanding health promotion strategies. “What initially consisted of the production of medicinal plants, today articulates quality of life, climate change and health promotion”, he explains .
According to the professional, the activities carried out at RHAMB affect the individual’s health in its entirety, including healthy eating, autonomy, the responsibility of individuals to take care of themselves and to actively participate in the care process. “Working in gardens has to do with the practice of collective and bodily activities, which return to the individual their own natural health promotion mechanisms. But, above all, this has to do with popular participation and democracy in the countryside. of public health”, he assesses.
*With information from the Department of Health
