Recent images showing doctors using household drills in surgeries at a São Paulo hospital have sparked outrage in Brazil. These improvised tools, typically used in home maintenance, were reportedly chosen due to the hospital’s lack of proper surgical equipment. Employees claimed the use of these non-medical devices was not a decision made by the doctors but rather a result of insufficient resources provided by the institution. The incident has brought attention to ongoing issues of inadequate medical infrastructure in Brazil, with previous reports highlighting similar cases of improvisation, such as using plastic bottles and even food packaging in critical care situations.
This latest situation at the Hospital Nossa Senhora do Pari in central São Paulo is part of a broader pattern of doctors resorting to unconventional methods to save lives in the face of severe shortages. For instance, in 2019, a maternity ward in Piauí faced a power outage and had to use cell phones as a light source for medical procedures. Similarly, a 2015 case saw premature babies wrapped in garbage bags due to a lack of incubators in Maranhão. These incidents, among others, reflect a systemic issue within the public healthcare system, where medical professionals must improvise with whatever materials are available to them.
Despite the serious risks associated with these improvised practices, the hospital’s management claims that the drills used were approved by health authorities and meet regulatory standards. However, the Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) has prohibited the use of household tools in surgeries due to the potential health hazards they pose. The situation continues to raise concerns about the safety and quality of medical care in Brazilian hospitals, particularly in public institutions where resources are scarce. Authorities have emphasized the need for strict oversight and accountability to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
