ABSTRACT:
The decolonization of public health and the strengthening of health equity policies remain major challenges. Despite the recognition of inequities as persistent but changeable conditions of inequality, little has been done to promote effective actions addressing the diversity present in different territories. Equity policies are commonly included in action plans, but little is done to implement them, leaving such policies at the level of theoretical assumptions. Consequently, Black population, Afro-Brazilian religious communities, homeless people, LGBTQIPN+ population, Romani people, and many others are usually viewed as ordinary bodies, with their ethnic, racial, and gender dimensions being disregarded. Aiming to promote decolonization in healthcare, equity initiatives in Itabuna intensified in 2021 when representatives of local groups were invited to participate in the development of the Municipal Health Plan and a Working Group (WG) was established to address equity policies. Since then, the WG, now the Equity Committee, made up of various representatives, has held regular meetings and has sought to ensure that everyone's voice is heard in health initiatives. With two seminars held, the results include the implementation of Act 2677/24, which establishes the Municipal Policy for the Promotion of Health Equity, and the Multiprofessional Health Residency with an Emphasis on Equity Policies. The municipality is moving toward a strong health system thanks to the many voices that comprise it. It has not been an easy journey, as prejudices, myths, and stigmas still persist. However, the decolonization of health is slowly taking hold as a milestone in a journey woven together by stories, memories, ancestry, mutual learning, and a strong commitment to social justice. Hopefully, diversity and the convergence of knowledge will continue to show us the way. Optchá!