Healthcare systems can be pretty shaky, but one Brazilian gang boss has a solution: kidnap nurses, steal vaccines and syringes, and force medical staff to treat poor residents.
Venezuelan's TeleSur reports that Thomas Vieira Gomes, also known as 2N, allegedly took two male nurses hostage for two hours to administer yellow fever vaccines to the people in Rio de Janeiro's Salgueiro favelas, some of the poorest areas in Brazil. The two nurses later told local press that Gomes, who's also a notorious drug dealer, wasn't aggressive toward them.
At least 25 people have died from yellow fever this year in Brazil. Although officials have been setting up vaccination centers across the country, they reportedly haven't reached most of the poorest areas. It's for that reason that Gomez likely took charge of the situation. Even public officials are in favor of his move. Brazil's former Minister of Environment, Carlos Minc, tweeted that Gomez's act to immunize Brazilians was a "public service," according to the site.
However, not everyone feels the same. TeleSur also reports that the Municipal Health Secretariat of Rio de Janeiro will be opening an investigation to look into the incident.
This isn't the first time Gomes became a real-life Robin Hood. Back in March, he literally threw wads of cash to local residents, causing a riot in Salgueiro, according to a local Brazilian news site. Now, if only we can get him to come here to fix our healthcare system. I mean, he seems to be doing a way better job than Agent Orange at least, right?
