Right to treatment out of the residence (TFD)

Not every person with thalassemia has at his/her disposal, in treatment centers near their residences, the entire technology available to keep their health and life quality. The magnetic resonance exam T2* -- the only capable of precisely assessing the amount of iron in the heart --, for example, is only offered free of charge in São Paulo, at Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein – thanks to a partnership of ABRASTA with the hospital. For the people with thalassemia who don't have financial conditions to leave their home town and need to travel and spend with lodging and meals only to effect this exam, the Association offers legal counsel and information so that the patient's rights are assured. Arriving in São Paulo, ABRASTA also offers free round trip transportation up to Albert Einstein.

See more information on this right in the chapter Treatment Out of the Residence in the Guidelines for Patient's Rights of ABRASTA/ABRALE

What is the benefit: when the treatment of a patient needs to be made in a place at a distance equal to or above 50 Km his/her residence, the law assures the right of having, free of charge, transport (air, land or fluvial), food and lodging. If the patients are minors of age or bear severe diseases or physical and mental disorders.

Who is assured such right: every patient, user of the Single Health System (SUS), who has no treatment option near their residence casa (or when the vacancies are over) and who need to periodically travel to other municipalities.

How to obtain: According to a text of the Book "SUS from A to Z – Assuring health in the municipalities" (3rd issue – Brasilia/DF – 2009), "the request for TFD should be made by the physician assisting the patient in the assistance units associated with SUS and authorized by commission named by the respective local/state manager that shall request, as required, exams or documents that complement the analyses case by case".