Brasília, March 9, 2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Today, in Brasília, the Minister of Health, Humberto Costa, received representatives of the Rural Women's Movement (MMC), a group of 1,500 female peasant farmers who have been camped out in the city since yesterday (8). The chief demand presented to the Minister was the effective implementation of the Federal Health System (SUS), especially in remote regions, where there is a dearth of doctors and public hospitals.

"We want to bet on preventive medicine, the promotion of health prior to medical care, and we shall ask for resources to be set aside for this effort, such as educational campaigns and projects with healing plants," affirms Luciana Piovesan, a peasant farmer.

The list of demands made by the rural women also includes a request to train professionals to work in the rural setting, especially to conduct preventive and health promotion campaigns. (DAS)