Campaign offers free rapid tests for syphilis, HIV and hepatitis in Teresina on Thursday (15)

The program also includes training for health professionals on October 29th, in the morning, in the auditorium of the Nova Maternidade Dona Evangelina Rosa (NMDER), in Teresina. The meeting will address the clinical management of syphilis in pregnant women and congenital syphilis.

The training will be aimed at professionals from the SUS Network, including teams from public and private maternity hospitals, reference hospitals for births, primary care services and Regional Health Services.

The initiative is part of the Green October campaign and is promoted by the State Department of Health of Piauí (Sesapi), in partnership with the State Testing and Counseling Center (CTA), civil society organizations and the Municipal Health Foundation (FMS). In addition to the exams, there will be counseling.

According to information from the Piauí Health Department (Sesapi), in 2025, Piauí recorded 1,034 cases of syphilis in pregnant women, 385 cases of congenital syphilis and 1,058 cases of acquired syphilis, according to data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (Sinan) and the Live Birth Information System (Sinasc).

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that has a treatment and cure. When not treated properly during pregnancy, it can be transmitted from mother to baby.

According to Sesapi's Communicable Diseases coordinator, Cristiana Rocha, the actions seek to expand early diagnosis and guarantee access to treatment, especially for pregnant women.

"Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that can be treated and cured, but we need to strengthen early diagnosis and ensure that people have access to treatment in a timely manner. It is also essential to intensify care for pregnant women, with tests during prenatal care and adequate treatment to prevent transmission of syphilis to the baby", he highlighted.

Sesapi advises municipalities to intensify, throughout the month of October, educational activities, the offer of rapid tests and monitoring of diagnosed people.

To prevent the transmission of syphilis to the baby, it is recommended that pregnant women take the test in the first trimester of pregnancy, in the 28th week and before giving birth, even if they have already undergone tests before.

Prenatal monitoring and appropriate treatment are essential to reduce the risk of transmitting the infection to the newborn.