Family Health, quilombola territories and the defense of life

Abstract

Abstract This article presents and debates historical elements of quilombola struggle and resistance as significant aspects for the production of health and defense of life in these territories. We articulate and reflect upon the importance and limits of the Family Health Strategy in the recognition, appreciation and integration of knowledge and practices of quilombola communities to professional health care focusing on their work processes. This study results from a participatory health research developed with workers of a Family Health Strategy in a quilombola community from north of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) during the COVID-19 pandemic. We concluded that, despite the potential of the Family Health Strategy, the challenges for comprehensive health care in the territory studied tend to compromise the community’s protagonism - especially that of women - and the effectiveness of care. Quilombola knowledge, experiences and ancestral memories of care are not valued within the scope of the Family Health Strategy. These aspects have little impact on territorialized health care and, therefore, far from a public policy of rights.