“We can only come out of a pandemic if we stay together. The whole society has to be involved.”

Audrey Azoulay,
director-general of the UNESCO

Tougher challenges, more generous support

The COVID-19 pandemic brought several challenges to Pequeno Príncipe Hospital. A new disease, need for social distancing, employees who needed to be away because they were contaminated… and, equally serious, financial challenges.

2020 challenges: prices of inputs, medicines and personal protective equipment (PPE) have risen.

2021 challenges: rising of personnel costs and inflation. Elective services resumed, but were far from historical averages, impacting revenues.

What was the result?

The double pressure (increased expenditures and reduced revenues) increased the deficit in assistance, without taking into account fundraising. Historically, the deficit was around US$ 6 million. But in 2021, it reached US$ 10.4 million, a jump of approximately 70%.

	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
Admissions	22,537	22,929	21,936	12,510	15,861
Surgeries	20,551	21,242	20,402	12,233	14,790
Transplantations	215	214	274	247	284
Outpatient services	304,675	305,078	288,179	159,459	200,776
Chemotherapy	3,681	3,706	3,467	2,987	2,637
Hemodialysis	3,938	4,054	4,313	4,686	4,752
*Assistance deficit (no fundraising)	US$ 6.98 million	US$ 4.8 million	US$ 7.36 million	US$ 6.34 million	US$ 10.4 million

Pequeno Príncipe is not the only institution facing this reality. Philanthropic hospitals and charitable hospitals, responsible for 70% of all high-complexity care provided by SUS, witnessed their financial situation become even more compromised with the pandemic and the acceleration of inflation. According to the Federation of Charitable and Benevolent Hospitals of the State of Paraná (Femipa, in Portuguese), in the last six years, 315 philanthropic hospitals closed their doors, reducing 7,000 beds in the SUS. In pediatrics, there were more than 9,000 beds diminished.

How were the challenges overcome?

With the support of society. In 2021, despite Brazil and the world being in crisis, companies, individuals, organizations, congressmen, the Judiciary, the Attorney General Office and the Legislative Power, in the three spheres of government, continued to support the Pequeno Príncipe. And new supporters joined us: 21% of companies and 33% of individuals who donated through the Childhood and Adolescence Fund (FIA) made their first investment in 2021. The numbers demonstrate the great confidence in the Hospital’s work.

Portion of expenses paid for by donation

	2019	2020	2021
Construction	66.6%	78.5%	67.6%
Consumables	51.7%	32.6%	58.6%
Equipment	83.4%	78.0%	68.7%
Medical supplies	18.8%	18.5%	16.6%
Human resources	7.5%	7.7%	7.6%

Pequeno Príncipe Gala

The Pequeno Príncipe Gala aims to support the institution’s assistance and research activities, contributing to the important challenge and global goal of reducing infant and youth mortality. For the second time held virtually, the “Pequeno Príncipe Gala 2021 – 10 years: celebrating science and life” explained to the public the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and adolescents and showed results of treatment and innovations, in addition to several exciting stories of overcoming.

The event had special appearances. Philanthropic supporters Daniele Giacomazzi Behring and Amalia Spinardi Thompson Motta, who mobilize their networks to support the institution; the scientific director of the Pelé Pequeno Príncipe Research Institute, Bonald Cavalcante de Figueiredo, who received the scientific honor; and the couple Sérgio Gordilho and Fernanda Valente, also saluted for their many years of support for Pequeno Príncipe, participated in the emotional night.

Chef Claude Troisgros, patron of the event, spoke about the power of food to bring together and comfort in the most challenging moments, and about his relationship with the cause of children’s health.

To close, an exclusive presentation by musician Vitor Kley. In voice and guitar style, the Latin Grammy nominee presented his main hits. In all, the event raised US$ 300,000 in donations.

See below how the resources were applied.

PELÉ PEQUENO PRÍNCIPE RESEARCH INSTITUTE	AMOUNT (US$)
Research supplies	$ 45,498.18
Human resources	$ 30,332.13
Equipment	$ 93,773.63
TOTAL INVESTMENT – RESEARCH INSTITUTE	$ 169,603.94

PEQUENO PRÍNCIPE HOSPITAL	AMOUNT (US$)
High-cost medication for cancer and rare diseases treatment	$ 112,963.09
TOTAL INVESTMENT – HOSPITAL	$ 112,963.09

TOTAL INVESTMENT – RESEARCH INSTITUTE + HOSPITAL	$ 282,567.03
TOTAL RESOURCES RAISED – GALA 2021	$ 282,380.91
ASSOCIATION INVESTMENT CASH FLOW	$ 186.12

Meeting with investors

Meetings with Pequeno Príncipe investors also needed, once again, to be held virtually. In addition to accountability events, which ensure transparency in the entire process of applying the investments received, the Hospital held a live session on “Global Compact and ESG in practice: the Pequeno Príncipe case”, which discussed how the agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) integrates with the Global Compact and with the ESG agenda.