Paper short abstract:

Results of ethnographic research regarding the role of Indigenous Health Agents (AIS) in Brazil suggest that AIS role is central to the production of the social field of intermedicality and that such community health workers emerge as new political subjects to act in inter-ethnic contexts.

Paper long abstract:

Brazilian National Indigenous Health Care Policy (PNASPI) has established the principle of "differentiated attention" (atenção diferenciada) for the promotion of health care services that take into consideration cultural diversity and epidemiological and sociocultural specificities. According to PNASPI, training courses for health workers are strategic for guaranteeing differentiated attention in indigenous villages. This paper summarizes results of ethnographic research regarding the role of Indigenous Health Agents (AIS) on the Munduruku Indians Reserve Kwata-Laranjal, municipality of Borba, Amazonas, Brazil. It contributes to understanding the AIS's role within the hegemonic medical model in a pluralistic medical context. The analysis includes data from 8 months of participant observation and interviews conducted from 2009 to 2011. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 31 of the 35 AIS to obtain data regarding education, gender, age, years employed, etc. Open interviews were realized for the registering of narratives with regard to routine responsibilities, experiences and difficulties. According to our findings, there are several obstacles that interfere with their activities and are primarily caused by operational and management problems of the Indigenous Health Care Subsystem (SASI). We conclude the Indigenous Health Agents' performance is essential to the operation of health services and that their role transcends strictly technical activities. They play a central role of articulation between biomedical and indigenous knowledge in an intermedical context and such community health workers emerge as new political agents in interethnic contexts.