BRAZIL: Salesian-run health center provides flu vaccines for people who are homeless
MissionNewswire
Last updated: May 21, 2026
The Salesian-run Zatti Saúde Health Center in Brazil has launched a Street Clinic Program to provide healthcare services, specifically flu vaccinations, to homeless individuals. This initiative aims to overcome barriers that prevent this vulnerable population from accessing traditional healthcare.
- The Street Clinic Program, a collaboration with the Municipal Health Department, conducted outreach in several neighborhoods of Araçatuba to identify eligible individuals for the flu vaccination campaign. The program's strategy involves mobile, multidisciplinary teams bringing healthcare directly to where the homeless population resides.
- Salesian missionaries globally operate over 150 medical facilities, often in rural areas, offering a wide spectrum of medical care, including dental services, especially to youth and families lacking access to healthcare. Father Michael Conway highlighted the Salesians' commitment to the health of those they serve, emphasizing the importance of these clinics in resource-limited communities.
- Poverty remains a significant issue in Brazil, with over 15% of the population living in poverty, largely concentrated in the rural northeast. Despite positive changes, substantial income inequality and social exclusion persist, contributing to poverty and highlighting the critical need for programs like the Street Clinic.
