Speech Therapy and Physical Therapy ensure humanized rehabilitation at HRPT
The Regional Hospital of Transamazônica promotes recovery from newborns to the elderly with integrated health actions
At the Public Regional Hospital of Transamazônica (HRPT), in Altamira, southwest of Pará, care goes beyond clinical treatment. Through the integrated work of the Speech Therapy and Physical Therapy teams, patients of all ages — from premature newborns to elderly individuals recovering from complex hospitalizations — receive specialized assistance that directly contributes to their functional rehabilitation and quality of life.
The unit, which is part of the state health network and is managed by the Acqua Institute in partnership with the Government of Pará, performs about 4,800 monthly consultations in both specialties, with nearly 600 procedures in the Intensive Care Units (ICUs). This work is essential to prevent motor, respiratory, and communication sequelae, as well as to promote the safe return of patients to their daily activities.
Recovery with dignity and care
One example of the effectiveness of the multidisciplinary work is that of 82-year-old retiree Rita Costa. After a period on mechanical ventilation and sedation, the patient underwent a tracheostomy and temporarily lost the ability to eat orally. With the support of the Speech Therapy and Physical Therapy teams at HRPT, she was able to regain basic functions such as chewing and swallowing.
“The work is to help the patient regain muscle strength and mobility to perform functions like eating. This is essential, from children to the elderly,” explains Aléxia Sousa, a speech therapist at the unit.
Specialized care from birth
Attention to babies is also a priority. Israel, just 14 days old, has been receiving support since birth. Speech therapist Liscia Moraes, from the Neonatal ICU, performs specific orofacial motor exercises to stimulate the muscles of the head and neck, focusing on breastfeeding. “With our hands, we simulate sucking so that the baby can efficiently suckle milk when fed by the mother,” she details.
Amanda Fernandes Marques, mother of little Israel, shares her gratitude for her son's progress. “The treatment is very good, everyone is attentive. My son was well cared for and improved quickly,” she stated.
Another case being monitored is that of baby Yasmin, who has been hospitalized for two weeks in the Neonatal ICU and diagnosed with cleft lip and palate — a condition that affects one in every 650 newborns in Brazil. With the support of the rehabilitation teams, the girl shows good clinical progress. “She is being well cared for and has already improved a lot. We are looking forward to going home,” declared Kaila Bento dos Santos, the child's mother.
Dedicated team and focus on excellence
In total, the Physical Therapy and Speech Therapy department at HRPT has 16 professionals, working daily in various sectors of the unit. For physiotherapist Vinícius Santos, integrated action is fundamental. “We have a clinical perspective focused on rehabilitation and health maintenance, both of the respiratory system and the motor aspect,” he points out.
Coordinator of the department, Alex Bernardo emphasizes the importance of continuity of care to ensure positive results. “Restoring quality of life to patients is our greatest goal. Each advancement represents a victory. It is a work of encouragement, human contact, and care,” he affirms.
Regional reference in health
Inaugurated in 2006, the Public Regional Hospital of Transamazônica is the largest health unit in the region and serves approximately 500,000 people in Altamira and eight other municipalities in the area. With more than 20 specialties and 97 beds, the unit is a national reference in Neonatal and Pediatric ICUs and holds the “Excellence Accreditation – Level 3” seal, the highest awarded to hospitals of regional scope.
In addition to direct assistance, HRPT maintains a permanent training schedule for its teams, with workshops, lectures, and training sessions. One of the recent strategies is the alignment between the medical, nursing, multidisciplinary, and administrative areas, strengthening the integration of the services provided.
Text: Rômulo D’Castro
