Research projects in neurosciences and neuroengineering, health care services, in addition to teaching and permanent health education actions developed at the Santos Dumont Institute (ISD), in Macaíba (RN), were presented throughout this Tuesday, 12 , to a delegation made up of 25 representatives from the Ministry of Defense, the Armed Forces and the Integrated Campus of Manufacturing and Technology – Cimatec (a body linked to the National Service of Industrial Learning – Senai). The technical visit aimed to know the scope of services offered through the Unified Health System (SUS) and the training of Masters in Neuroengineering and specialists in the Multiprofessional Residency Program in Health Care for People with Disabilities RESPECD/ISD).

The delegation was received by the general director of ISD, Reginaldo Freitas Jr., who highlighted the need for more people to know the work that is carried out at the Institute. “We are grateful to receive you in what is the largest ministerial entourage that has ever visited the Santos Dumont Institute”, he stressed when welcoming representatives of the Ministry of Defense and introducing them to the ongoing work at the Institute. 

The concept of Neuroengineering, which is an interdisciplinary research area that integrates neuroscience and engineering methods to study the functioning of the nervous system and develop solutions for limitations and dysfunctions associated with this system, was presented by the neurosurgeon medical preceptor and researcher at ISD , Hougelle Simplício, and Edgard Morya, research manager at the International Institute of Neurosciences Edmond and Lily Safra (IIN-ELS), one of the ISD units in Macaíba. Simplício detailed some research being carried out at the Institute and showed practical examples of how science can contribute to the habilitation/rehabilitation of people with different disabilities. 

“Our goal is to transform Brazilian social reality by uniting science and technology. Some things may seem like science fiction, but those who are inside the research process know that these technologies will soon reach health professionals and the market”, stressed Hougelle Simplício. During the presentation, he demonstrated successful experiences with equipment used in the rehabilitation of patients with Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA), Parkinson's Disease and Spinal Cord Injury, for example. The operation of equipment such as Zero G and Lokomat was shown in videos with patients attended by the Institute. In addition to them, prototypes of items developed through the design of assistive technology applicable to the Unified Health System (SUS) such as electronic orthoses, were also exposed. 

Patients with motor, intellectual, auditory and visual impairments are assisted at the Specialized Rehabilitation Center (CER IV ISD) which works as a school for RESPECD residents with theoretical and practical classes developed in the Epilepsy clinics (children and adults); Parkinson's; Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD); Spinal Cord Injury (children and adults); Microcephaly; Hearing Impairment (children and adults); Visual Impairment (child and adult), Prematurity and Neurogenic Bladder. In these clinics, research and treatments are carried out using neuromodulators, which is a type of non-invasive electrical stimulation. 

On behalf of the entourage, Lieutenant Brigadier R1 Jeferson Domingues de Freitas, head of the Department of Personnel, Health, Sports and Social Projects of the Ministry of Defense (SEPESD/MD), thanked and praised the professionals and the work carried out at the ISD. 

“There is no way to come to the Institute and not leave impressed. There are several aspects: the lines of research, the social action that ISD promotes, the growth that it has sought in its research. And I see, by bringing representatives of our Research Centers and our Health Directorates here, a very great possibility of establishing partnerships between the Ministry of Defense, the Armed Forces and the Santos Dumont Institute. Collaborate with the development of research in the areas of Neuroscience and Neuroengineering, mainly because we are interested in implementing it in our Forces and looking for many aspects that were placed in the recovery part of physiotherapy and applying it in our hospitals. I leave hopeful that very soon, when I return here with our minister, we will already sign some kind of more productive partnership and turn this visit into a product. And finally, congratulations to the Institute. We leave here seeing that Brazil really has potential, and it's not just talk. We see the work you do, the young people who are there, the researchers, the master's students. We see Brazilians who are interested in helping our society”, he declared. 

Recognition

At the end of the technical visit, Lieutenant Brigadier R1 Jeferson Domingues de Freitas paid homage to the Santos Dumont Institute by delivering a plaque on which the following message is written:

“To the Santos Dumont Institute – ISD The thanks of the Secretary of Personnel, Health, Sports and Social Projects SEPESD/MD on the occasion of the technical visit to this distinguished Institute of Teaching and Research.

Macaíba - RN, April 12, 2022

Entourage

The members of the delegation from the Ministry of Health are: Lt Brig. jeferson Domingues de Freitas, from the Department of Personnel, Health, Sports and Social Projects of the Ministry of Defense; Maj Brig Med Cloer Véscia Alves, from the Air Force Health Board; Calte Med César Aurélio Serra, from Hospital Naval Marcílio Dias; Brig Ar Roberto da Cunha Follador, from the General Staff of the Air Force; Ge Bda Carlos Eduardo da Mota Góes, from the Department of Defense Products of the Ministry of Defense; Brig Med Ana Paola Brasil Medeiros, Director of Health and Social Assistance at the Ministry of Defense; Brig R1 Fernando Almeida Riomar, from the Department of Personnel, Health, Sports and Social Projects of the Ministry of Defense; CMG Reginaldo Pinto Sampaio, from the General Staff of the Navy (Brazilian Navy); CMG (S) Renata Grassini de Cerqueira, from Hospital Naval Marcílio Dias; Colonel Luiz Eduardo Mello Corrêa da Silva, from the Department of Science and Technology of the Brazilian Army; Cel Miguel Ângelo Azevedo Lima, from the General Staff of the Army; Colonel Dent Danilo Moura Resende, from the FAB General Staff Command; Colonel R/1 Gregório Itiro Ochiai Seixas, from the Army General Staff; Colonel R/1 Eduardo Borba Neves, from the Brazilian Army Officer Improvement School; Colonel R/1 Ancelmo Modesti, from the General Staff of the Air Force; CF (T) Fábio de Salles Monteiro, Secretary of Defense Products of the Ministry of Defense; CF (T) – Célio de Souza Paiva Júnior, from the Technological Center of the Brazilian Navy; CF (T) Med Simone dos Santos Gomes, from Hospital Naval de Natal; Lt. Col. Luciano Gonçalves Soares, from the Health Board of the Brazilian Army; Lt. Col. Marcelo Araújo Bastos, from the Department of Science and Technology of the Brazilian Army; Maj Flávio Gaspar Bianchi, from the Department of Health and Social Assistance of the Ministry of Defense; Maj Av Luiz Arthur Donatini, from the FAB General Staff Command; Capt. Carlos César de Castro Deonísio, Head of Education and Culture / Superior School of Defense of the Ministry of Defense; Tarciana Barreto Sá, from the Department of Organization and Legislation of the Ministry of Defense; 24. Valdir Gomes Barbosa Júnior, from the Integrated Manufacturing and Technology Campus – CIMATEC. 

The ISD were represented by general director Reginaldo Freitas Jr.; the manager of the Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute of Neurosciences (IIN-ELS), Edgard Morya; the manager of the Anita Garibaldi Health Education and Research Center (Anita), Lilian Lira Lisboa; and the managing director of ISD, Jovan Gadioli dos Santos.