For the past three years, the Federation of the Indigenous Organizations of the Negro River (FOIRN) has been responsible for the health of the 20,000 Indians in its constituent region. Because of accumulated debts with medical suppliers after repeated nonpayment of bills, FOIRN has decided to cease all activities in the region. This announcement was made to Ricardo Chagas, Director of the Department of Indigenous Health, on June 2. The organization is unable to pay the salaries of its staff of over 200 people. In response to this news more than 100 indigenous leaders signed a letter to the Minister of Health, Jose Serra, condemning the decision.
