Health of the romany people and COVID19 primer: reflections upon cultural competence

Abstract

The Romani people are identified by their language, anthem and flag. Its origins are attributed to India, having passed through successive diasporas to other countries and continents, but it remains very little known, a fact that supports behaviors of strangeness, prejudice and discrimination. In Brazil, there is a predominance of the Calon ethnic group from the Iberian Peninsula, who arrived among those exiled to the country. Social macro determinants such invisibility and inequities can be mitigated through public policies. This article communicates, through the methodology called case study (report of the process over the years), the historical trajectory of work in primary health care aimed at the Romani people in an urban presence in the city of Rio de Janeiro/Brazil, from 2008 to 2023, bringing some academic contributions from its own leaders, showing their intersectoral citizen participation in primary and secondary prevention in addition to health promotion, to the communities to which they belong and dedicate themselves. From a professional perspective, with the experience of coexistence, the cultural competence and leadership skills of the Romani leaders were highlighted. Therefore, intercultural education must be promoted in possible healthcare spaces, also aiming to develop professional cultural competence in a multi-ethnic country.