Activities

Projeto Saúde e Alegria (PSA) operates in Brazilian Amazon communities to contribute to improving quality of life and promote and support participatory processes of integrated and sustainable community development for the populations served. Currently, PSA serves about 30,000 residents of rural communities—primarily traditional, many of which are in situations of social vulnerability—in Santarém, Belterra, Aveiro, and Juruti, municipalities located in the western part of Pará. Its actions are developed with and for the communities, focusing on solving their real problems.

History

PSA was founded in 1983 by Eugênio Scannavino Netto and Márcia Silveira Gama to use participatory methodologies to provide health assistance to the riverside communities of Santarém (PA). With the support of Sérgio Arouca and Cesare Della Rocca, PSA began its activities in 1987, funded by BNDES and supervised by Fiocruz. Over the years, PSA has expanded, involving social entrepreneurs and local communities, and has consolidated itself as an integrated community development project since the 2000s.

Impact

Studies show that portable micro membrane filters significantly impact mitigating water insecurity, especially in reducing cases of diarrhea, the most common waterborne disease. Filtration is a cost-effective, efficient solution preferred by users due to its improvement in the appearance of the water. An impact assessment in the Dominican Republic revealed that these filters reduced diarrhea cases by 62%. In November 2024, the Brazilian Ministry of Health published a technical note recognizing the high efficiency of filters for removing particles and pathogens to contribute significantly to the safety of water available in crises and restricted access in conjunction with water disinfection strategies (e.g., the addition of chlorine).

Transparency

The organization regularly produces and publishes activity reports, has its financial transactions audited by an independent service, and has active and updated communication channels.

The intervention selected by doebem

The portable micro membrane filter distributed by Projeto Saúde & Alegria to communities in western Pará is considered by doebem to be a highly cost-effective solution to mitigate water insecurity. Pará, ranking third in water insecurity and second in hospitalizations for waterborne diseases, suffers from contaminated water despite being in the Amazon basin. The PSA filters, which remove up to 99% of harmful microorganisms, make the water drinkable. With a lifespan of 2.5 years and a cost of R$213 (USD42.6*) each, they serve families of up to 5 people, reducing diseases, school absences, and improving mental health and quality of life. *An exchange rate of 1 USD = 5 BRL is used as an estimate for reference based on the average value over the past five years. For a more precise estimate, we suggest performing the conversion at the time of reading due to the significant volatility of the BRL-USD exchange rate.

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