Introduction
When we systematize the activities carried out over the course of one year, we can clearly understand the dimension of our work. And after 20 years of experience, we perceive the impact achieved for the health of Brazilian children and adolescents throughout this journey. Therefore, this report is of great importance, to celebrate our public recognition, solidity, and consistency.
In August, we brought together partners and collaborators so we could celebrate this journey. At Desiderata’s 20th anniversary,we held talks and debates about the paths we have followed to strengthen the healthcare of children and adolescents and about the challenges and achievements of public health for Brazilian children and adolescents.
To rise to the new challenges, considering the state of affairs in our country, we collectively devised our Policy for the Promotion of Diversity and Racial Equality, rendering our commitment to this agenda official and public. The formulation of this policy was key to gaining further insight into our programmatic action and meeting the different needs, realities, and perspectives with which we work.
In pediatric oncology, 2023 meant the consolidation of our efforts directed at the northeastern region. We keep on making remarkable developments in the State of Pernambuco, forging important partnerships between civil society and the public sector to promote the early diagnosis of childhood cancer in that state, inspired by our experience with Unidos Pela Cura in Rio de Janeiro.
At the end of the year, we inaugurated two humanized pediatric wards, each with eight hospital beds at Jesus Municipal Hospital, in the Vila Isabel neighborhood, in the northern zone of Rio de Janeiro. Humanized environments such as these contribute to reducing pain and anxiety of patients seen there, and they also motivate and ensure greater satisfaction of health professionals with their work environment. Having an appropriate and welcoming environment for treatment and work are among the tenets of the National Policy for Humanization, and no effort has been spared to make that happen.
In regard to Childhood and Adolescent Obesity, our advocacy actions and campaigns were paramount in mobilizing the civil society and put pressure on the legislative branch for the approval of bills that forbid the supply of ultraprocessed foods and drinks at schools in Rio de Janeiro (PL 1662/19) and Niterói (PL 40/2023). Healthier eating environments are a major achievement, promoting easier access of Brazilian children and adolescents to healthy and appropriate nutrition.
These movements and results made throughout 2023, among many others, demonstrate that we have been following the path towards strengthening public health and generating a positive impact on the lives of Brazilian children and adolescents and of their families, and we have advanced and expanded our work across other Brazilian regions.
We hope that all the figures and records in this Annual Report will help you better understand the scope of our historic and unwearied diligence.
Enjoy the reading!
Mark Essle and Renata Couto
President of the Board of Directors and Executive Director
