Federal Government Allocates R$131.9 Million to Strengthen Health Care in Espírito Santo Municipalities Affected by 2015 Mariana Dam Disaster
Brazil's federal government commits R$131.9 million to expand and improve health care infrastructure and services in Espírito Santo municipalities impacted by the 2015 Mariana dam disaster.
- • Federal government allocates R$131.9 million for health care recovery in 11 Espírito Santo municipalities impacted by the 2015 Mariana dam disaster.
- • R$82.55 million designated for building a new hospital complex in Colatina, adding Psychosocial Care Centers and dental specialty centers, and equipping rehabilitation centers.
- • Funds originate from a judicial agreement with Samarco, Vale, and BHP, responsible for the environmental disaster.
- • Plans include enhancing environmental and toxicological surveillance by upgrading the Central Public Health Laboratory and expanding specialized health teams.
- • Governor Renato Casagrande highlights improved access to elective surgeries, mental health services, and support for individuals with atypical development.
Key details
On February 13, 2026, Brazil’s federal government announced a dedicated investment of R$131.9 million aimed at expanding and recovering health care infrastructure and services in 11 municipalities of Espírito Santo affected by the catastrophic collapse of the Fundão dam in Mariana, Minas Gerais, in 2015. This funding stems from a judicial settlement with Samarco and its controlling companies Vale and BHP, the entities responsible for the environmental disaster.
The initiative, part of the “Novo Acordo do Rio Doce,” prioritizes strengthening health infrastructure, enhancing health surveillance, and expanding digital health services in the region. The largest share of the funds, R$82.55 million, will be directed toward infrastructure enhancements including the construction of a new hospital complex in Colatina, the addition of four new Psychosocial Care Centers (Caps), two dental specialty centers, and acquiring equipment for two rehabilitation centers. These improvements aim to benefit residents in municipalities such as Anchieta, Aracruz, and São Mateus.
The new Colatina hospital complex is expected to play a pivotal role in treating health issues linked to water contamination from the disaster, especially chronic illnesses. Governor Renato Casagrande emphasized that this investment will enable all impacted municipalities to offer elective surgeries and other vital health services, including support for individuals with atypical development.
Additionally, the federal government plans to bolster environmental and toxicological surveillance by restructuring the Central Public Health Laboratory (Lacen) for testing heavy metals and environmental samples. Surveillance teams focusing on environmental, epidemiological, and worker health will also see expansion.
Health Minister Alexandre Padilha highlighted the multi-faceted nature of the project aimed at reconstructing the health system’s capacity in the region, blending infrastructure, surveillance, and digital health innovation to address long-term public health needs following the disaster.
This comprehensive federal initiative represents a significant step toward repairing the lasting health impacts of the Mariana dam collapse while enhancing the overall public health framework in Espírito Santo’s affected municipalities.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
