The Santos Dumont Institute (ISD) presented its 2021 Annual Report to the Ministry of Education (MEC) this Tuesday, the 5th. Even though it is still in a pandemic scenario, the Institute obtained positive results in 13 of the 14 indicators established by the ministerial body as a parameter for measuring the quality of education and services provided to the society of Rio Grande do Norte through the Anita Garibaldi Center for Education and Health Research (Anita) and the Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute of Neuroscience (IIN-ELS), ISD units in Macaíba. 

Reginaldo Freitas Jr., ISD's CEO, presented the figures to the Monitoring and Evaluation Committee, made up of representatives from various ministries and agencies of the federal government. Throughout 2021, the Institute provided 52,531 services in Physiotherapy, Speech Therapy, Clinical Psychology, Ultrasound, Prenatal Care, Pediatrics, Neuropsychology, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Adult and Child Neurology, Adult and Child Infectious Diseases, Otorhinolaryngology, Cardiotocography, Nutritionist, and Orthopedics. These services were divided into in-person and telehealth for children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly spread across 97 municipalities in Rio Grande do Norte. Of these, 93,94% were concentrated in the 7th Health Region, which includes the municipalities of Extremoz, Macaíba, Natal, Parnamirim, and São Gonçalo do Amarante, with which ISD has an agreement. 

In the academic/scientific area, the highlight is the resumption of the Neuroengineering Symposium, which in 2021 was the largest in history with 701 registrants and more than 10 thousand views of the content presented during the event, in addition to the availability of lectures on the ISD YouTube channel. In the segment of Education and Interprofessional Work in Health, the Institute reached the goal established by the MEC. From January to December of the year in reference, 624 undergraduates from the Physiotherapy, Medicine, Psychology and Social Service courses of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) - linked to the Central Campus (Natal), Multicampi School of Medical Sciences (EMCM Caicó), Faculty of Health Sciences of Trairi (Facisa Santa Cruz), in addition to the Cultural and Educational Association of Pará (ACEPA). 

“We were the most sought-after setting by UFRN to maintain the practical scenario for health care courses, both in Residency and Undergraduate courses. We had a number that surpassed previous years, with 90 residents in training at our units linked to 8 university hospitals and medical schools throughout Brazil. The ISD is consolidated as a school for the professions of UFRN, our main partner. This is very gratifying. The feedback is very positive. We have invested in the training of preceptors by holding workshops in partnership with other educational institutions and we have managed to incorporate the continuing education of our preceptors”, highlighted Reginaldo Freitas Jr. during the presentation of the 2021 Annual Report. 

In the second half of 2021, the Institute opened the Nise da Silveira Exhibition Space and the ISD Auditorium, which can seat approximately 100 people, as well as spaces for wheelchair users and people with visual impairments. These spaces are located in the Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute of Neuroscience building. These spaces were made available to the community, following biosafety criteria, and events in the areas of Education and Health were held. In addition, new laboratories began operating. Today, the ISD has 16 laboratories in operation. 

During the same period, Ascom ISD was restructured with the mission of being another agent of social transformation, in addition to the other services offered by the Institute. The partnership with the MEC Communications Office was also strengthened, which increased the Institute's visibility nationwide. 

“The word is overcoming when we analyze the numbers for 2021. You managed to surpass all your goals thanks to everyone’s efforts. I want to congratulate you and say that this is a great honor for us,” said Eudes Gomes Pereira, member of the MEC Monitoring and Evaluation Committee. 

In December 2021, ISD received an award from the Ministry of Health under the National Plan for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities – Living Without Limits. “For us, the Award is a source of great joy and pride. There were 93 competitors and ISD was the newest institution in the field of rehabilitation for people with disabilities. This really increased our visibility”, commented Reginaldo Freitas Jr. during the presentation of the Annual Report to the MEC. 

“It is the story of social transformation that changes the community and brings a value that is established. It is very positive, it is very good for us to be able to gather and listen to positive constructions in a pandemic scenario. I want to congratulate the ISD for everything and for the Viver Sem Limite award”, said Sylvia Helena Figueiredo Prata, member of the Commission. 

Health and Social Action

With the easing of the pandemic, important services were resumed by ISD throughout 2021, such as: Educa Parkinson, Neurinho, Barriguda, Fazendo Direito(s), Rodas da Vida and Mortalidade Materna Evitável. These services include actions aimed at the rehabilitation of people with Parkinson's through therapeutic and educational activities; lectures and multiplatform reports published by the local and national press using ISD professionals as a source.

“The work you are doing is impressive,” declared Felipe Von Glehn Silva, member of the Commission. 

Contract

At the end of 2021, the Ministry of Education renewed the management contract with the Santos Dumont Institute for another 10 years, valid until 2030. “It was very good for the ISD to have the strengthening of the renewal of the management contract with the MEC until 2030. For all the teams it was very good and filled us with oxygen to continue on the path of stimulus, of social transformation”, highlighted Reginaldo Freitas Jr..

For 2022

In the second half of this year, the ISD will submit to the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) the PhD project in Neuroscience Applied to Health. “It is an audacious project, but one that reflects the ISD. The goal is to provide social responses not only locally, but nationally, and to train doctors capable of integrating research with existing needs in the health area,” stated Reginaldo Freitas Jr. 

“This multidisciplinary vision is very important, and the government should no longer act in its own ministries and coffers. Public policy should not have these limitations. It is, naturally, multidisciplinary. It is good to see the ISD’s effort to break down barriers. I also congratulate the MEC for its willingness to sign a management contract for another 10 years,” highlighted Laerte Davi Cleto, representative of the Ministry of Economy on the evaluation committee. 

This same Committee defended the recommendation of the ISD PhD to Capes through a letter signed by all members, which should occur in the next few days. “It is an honor to be able to participate in this cycle. We will forward the letter of recommendation for the PhD to all necessary authorities”, commented Vinícius Nunes de Aquino, MEC representative on the Committee. 

The following people participated in the meeting: Fábio César Braga de Abreu e Lima, specialist and chairman of the Commission; Vinícius Nunes de Aquino, from the Ministry of Education (MEC); Sylvia Helena Figueiredo Prata, from the Ministry of Economy; Laerte Davi Cleto, from the Ministry of Economy; Eudes Gomes Pereira, from the Ministry of Education; and Felipe Von Glehn Silva, specialist. Representing the ISD: Reginaldo Freitas Jr., general director; Jovan Gadioli dos Santos, administrative director; Lilian Lira Lisboa, manager of Anita; Edgard Morya, manager of IIN-ELS; Marcelo Carvalho, coordinator of the Academic Secretariat; Eduardo Frare, planning advisor; Mariana Ceci and Ricardo Araújo, communications advisors. 

Report

For the press, the 2021 Annual Report of the Santos Dumont Institute may be used as a source of guidelines and consultations. The document can also be accessed for social control purposes at: https://bit.ly/3r4gaeW