Fórum social brasileiro de enfrentamento das doenças infecciosas e negligenciadas: 10 anos de história: documento síntese

Abstract

The Brazilian Social Forum for Combating Infectious and Neglected Diseases (FSBEDIN) is a legitimate space and national reference point for the fight for visibility of the needs and demands of people and communities at risk/vulnerable or affected by and/or living with infectious diseases and Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), and for their social and human rights. It is a strategic composition that brings together individuals involved in combating Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, leprosy, schistosomiasis, geohelminthiasis, lymphatic filariasis, trachoma, chikungunya fever, Zika virus, onchocerciasis, human rabies, scabies (and other ectoparasitoses), systemic mycoses, accidents with venomous animals, among other infections such as viral hepatitis, tuberculosis, HTLV and HIV infections, among other conditions. Since its first meeting in 2016, the Forum has incorporated elements that run through its central theme of debate: the defense of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS), democracy, human and social rights, and the fight against infectious and neglected diseases. Over the past ten years, there has been an increase in the number of participants, as well as in the themes and issues debated, among which we highlight: the defense of the SUS; for comprehensive care structured from the strengthening of Primary Health Care; science, technology and innovation; health education and training; new tools for the diagnosis and treatment of infectious and neglected diseases; human rights; overcoming stigma and discrimination; among others. The 10th edition of the Forum has as its theme: 10 Years of the Brazilian Social Forum for Combating Infectious and Neglected Diseases: Advances and Challenges, resuming the necessary debate about structural issues in Brazilian society capable of determining the illness and death of millions of Brazilians in their different territories of residence and work. This year, once again, the FSBEDIN brings together leaders, affected individuals, managers, health professionals, researchers, movements, and institutions involved in combating NTDs and other infectious diseases. In this way, it is possible and necessary to continue promoting engagement and social mobilization in defense of the right to health and the serious and responsible demand for the design and implementation of integrated strategies and actions for health care, surveillance, prevention, and control of these diseases, always in a participatory and democratic manner. As we know, political, economic, health, and social problems impact the right to a dignified and healthy life. In this sense, we understand that the country is entering a new phase in the fight against NTDs and other infectious diseases with the creation of the Healthy Brazil Program: uniting to care. This is an interministerial initiative undertaken by the current government in response to demands from civil society and international commitments made by the country. After all, target 3.3 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO), aims to end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and NTDs by 2023, and to combat hepatitis, waterborne diseases, and other communicable diseases. Recognized by Decree No. 11,908, the Program aims to address the social determinants of health, through the collaboration of 13 Ministries to promote: integration of public policies, inter-ministerial coordination, inter-federative coordination, and coordination with social movements and civil society organizations. Therefore, we are at a crucial moment for strengthening the participation of social movements, not only in the constant defense of democracy, but also in political and technical advocacy to reclaim the dignity lost in the face of illness and death for many of us. This struggle represents an enormous challenge, but it is necessary, since confronting NTDs means confronting hunger and poverty, reducing inequalities, promoting social protection policies for the most vulnerable groups, and strengthening communication and social mobilization. Addressing several NTDs (Negative Tropical Diseases) together means having an integrated and even more powerful perspective, using science, technology, and innovation to promote human and social development, fostering a healthy environment, and strengthening the perception of the One Health approach in our country. Addressing NTDs means, above all, strengthening the responses of the SUS (Brazilian Unified Health System) and other social policies that directly impact the right to life of individuals, families, and communities. Many negotiations will be necessary to reverse measures that hinder the formulation of social policies. Aware of this challenge, the central theme of this year's FSBEDIN (Brazilian Forum on the Development of Health in the SUS) leads us to recognize the main challenges to making decisive progress towards the country we want. It is worth remembering that since its creation in 2016, in a context of political and institutional crisis, the Forum has never failed to take a stand against threats to democracy, the weakening of public policies, and the SUS. The annual editions of the Forum have always sought to contribute with presentations and debates aimed at fostering relevant discussions on overcoming the neglect and vulnerability of people, populations, and territories in Brazil. Fundamental positions have been outlined to address the needs of neglected populations with the explicit and reiterated commitment to reducing social injustices. At each meeting, a Charter was produced as a synthesis of these concerns, denunciations, and demands of the collectives that make up this successful experience. To support the reflections of the 10th Brazilian Social Forum for Addressing Infectious and Neglected Diseases, to be held between October 31 and November 2, 2025, in the city of João Pessoa – Paraíba, the Federal University of Ceará (UFC), through its Faculty of Medicine and its Postgraduate Program in Public Health (PPGSP), coordinated the elaboration of this collaborative support document. UFC is one of the founding institutions of FSBEDIN and has played a strategic and continuous role in supporting the Forum throughout its 10 years. Within this process, UFC/PPGSP not only participated: it assumed organizational responsibilities, provided methodological and political support, and helped transform local experiences into national proposals. Throughout this trajectory, FSBEIN consolidated itself as a space for representation, support, collective learning, empowerment, and articulation between social movements, health services, universities, and public managers. This document incorporates a descriptive synthesis of the political place of FSBEDIN in the Brazilian scenario between 2015 and 2025, based on an experience report and documentary analysis. The analysis encompasses axes that structure the Forum's actions: Democracy and Social Justice; Right to Health in Brazil and defense of the SUS (Brazilian Unified Health System); Financing of the SUS; Protagonism, empowerment, and training of social subjects; Invisibility and stigma; Health care and attention; Public policies and intersectorality; Science, technology, and innovation; and Political training and policy influence. It is reiterated that the centrality of the protagonism of the affected individuals and communities, permanently affirmed and strengthened by FSBEDIN, this constitutes a lesson in social participation in health. It is a strategic element for the formulation and implementation of equitable public policies in the field of infectious and neglected diseases in Brazil. The following pages present a summary of the main themes addressed throughout the previous meetings. The intention is that a careful look at the trajectory of this collective is central to contributing to reflections and establishing current and future priorities. In addition, all the letters produced by the Forum are attached in full. Finally, the Charter of Principles of this great movement is included, along with a tribute to all the leaders of social movements who are no longer with us.