Psychiatric patients at the Hospital of São Vicente de Paulo (HSVp) tried to escape from the unit on Thursday (23/11). According to what the Ministry of Health reported on Friday (11/24), five of them managed to escape (read more below).
In one of the videos, a prisoner tried to jump the fence. In another recording, hospital staff struggle to prevent a tall, strong patient from escaping the hospital.
Despite the fear, staff were able to convince the prisoners to return to treatment. The unit has been facing a strike by Visan security guards since Monday (11/20).
look:
Since the beginning of the security guards’ strike, the routine in the HSVp corridors has been marked by tense moments.
According to the Union of Security Guards in the Federal District (Sindesv-DF), outsourced workers raised their arms demanding delayed payment of their wages.
Watch the scenes:
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The security guards would not have received the food voucher, and the final salary would have been in the accounts a week late. More than half of the workers take unpaid leave, and some complain of not being paid for overtime.
According to this category, there will be no FGTS payment for a year, in addition to the retroactive effect of the last salary adjustment. Some security guards claim that they did not place 13th last year.
The Ministry of Health has appointed Visan to provide security services to HSVp. The company is also responsible for providing private security at the Support Hospital, Support Park, in SIA, and the Division Headquarters, in Asa Norte.
Psychological health
Currently, DF has four referral hospitals for psychiatric hospitalization, besides HCVp. Hospital de Pace, Hospital da Criánca José Alencar (HCB) and Hospital University of Brasilia (HUB) complete the list.
According to Provincial Law No. 975 of 1995, traditional psychiatric beds should be closed and replaced by the end of 1999. The proposal is to leave the asylum model in the past. However, they remain open.
MPDFT and CLDF
Office of the Public Prosecutor for Health (Prosus), subordinate to the Public Prosecutor’s Office (MPDFT), sought to close the beds and replace the patient care model in a common civil action (ACP) in 2010. The court granted the request.
On October 13, 2023, the Second Regional Prosecutor’s Office for the Defense of Pervasive Rights (Proreg) sent a letter to the Minister of Health requesting information about the measures being taken to convert psychiatric beds.
The Legislative Council Human Rights Committee (CLDF) also calls for compliance with the law and change of beds to provide better treatment for mentally ill patients.
the other side
The Ministry of Health confirmed, in a statement, that five patients had escaped. The ministry reported that “two have already returned to the hospital, one has returned to his home, another is living on the streets, and one has not yet returned to the unit.”
“In cases of evasion, the HSVP team immediately informs family members and files a police report,” the memo adds.
Read the full memo:
“The Ministry of Health reports that all payments to monitoring companies are up to date.
The administration had previously informed the security company of the need to settle obligations with its employees.
We emphasize adherence to the rules related to having a linked account to protect workers’ rights.
Regarding patients, five cases of evasion were recorded. Two have already returned to hospital, one has returned home, one is living on the streets, and one has not yet returned to the unit.
In cases of evasion, the HSVP team immediately informs family members and files a police report.
Charlotte Whitmore is a contributor at Mediarunsearch.co.uk, covering a broad range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. She focuses on delivering clear, balanced reporting and practical information that helps readers stay informed about current events and emerging developments. Her work highlights stories that matter to everyday audiences, with an emphasis on accuracy, relevance, and accessible journalism that keeps readers connected to the issues shaping the UK and beyond.