Some 400 people blocked two main highways in the southern Brazilian state of Parana to demand the resumption of medical care services, local media reported Wednesday.
The protesters, who were members of indigenous groups Caingangue and Guarani, used trucks and buses to block the roads BR-373 and BR-277. Only ambulances were allowed to pass through the barrier.
They requested funds for transporting sick members of their tribes to hospitals in the region. Under an agreement with the government, 35 vehicles and 120 drivers are needed, with a total of 327,000 reais (199,400 U.S. dollars) is to be allocated.
Meanwhile, about 40 protestors had been occupying the National Health Foundation's headquarters in the state's capital Curitiba for more than 48 hours.
Vinicius Reali, the local coordinator of the foundation, was sent to Brasilia to negotiate the implementation of the agreement, together with representatives of the indigenous groups.
He said the funds for the medical care services had been cut, leading to a worsening of the plight of the indigenous population in Parana, where some 13,000 native Brazilians live.
Source:Xinhua
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