Healthcare and Industry in Ipatinga

The group continued getting a behind-the-scenes look at Brazil as the week came to a close. Friday's activities included tours of a hospital in Ipatinga, Hospital Marcio Cunha, and the largest employer, Usiminas.

The hospital serves a region of approximately 1 million people and was built by steel manufacturer Usiminas, which continues to subsidize part of its operation through a nonprofit foundation. 

The facility's director gave us an extended private tour that included the emergency room, pediatrics, the pharmacy, laundry area and an ongoing renovation project. The dialysis area was especially interesting as it operates around the clock six days a week and serves hundreds of patients per day.

In the afternoon, the group toured Usiminas' Ipatinga facility. Usiminas is the largest steel producer in Brazil, and one of the largest in the Americas. Our tour included the research and development department, the blasting furnace control room, the production area where heated steel is put through a press to change its thickness and the warehousing area. The company's Ipatinga facility produces rolled steel, as well as steel used in oil/natural gas drilling equipment.

The day ended with a party for the group in Timoteo with participants from past exchanges attending. The evening included food, live music and dancing.