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Este é um estudo de caso que objetivou analisar, na perspectiva da saúde coletiva, o processo de desenvolvimento do equipamento médico para o tratamento do pé diabético realizado pela parceria entre o Ministério da Saúde (MS) e a Universidade de Brasília (UnB) no período de dezembro de 2016 a janeiro de 2019. A análise observou o comportamento do grupo de pesquisa responsável pela produção da tecnologia dura mediante as dificuldades em transformar a pesquisa em um produto com viés mercadológico capaz de ser assimilado na cobertura do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), concomitantemente à participação da saúde coletiva na superação de alguns entraves. Utilizou-se como estudo de caso a parceria entre o MS e a UnB apoiado no modelo de investigação qualitativa com ênfase em processos metodológicos de tipologia mista, mas com prioridade aos métodos de observação participante cuja unidade de análise está vinculada à saúde coletiva. Os resultados observados evidenciaram que a contribuição da saúde coletiva na produção da tecnologia dura minimizou lacunas para a provável transformação da ideia em produto assimilável pelo SUS. A participação da saúde coletiva diminuiu os espaços entre as áreas do conhecimento envolvidas, aproximando a universidade da iniciativa privada e dos órgãos reguladores. This is a case study that is aimed at analyzing, from the perspective of public health, the process of development of medical equipment for the treatment of diabetic foot performed by the partnership between the Ministry of Health (MS) and the University of Brasilia (UnB) from December 2016 to January 2019. The analysis observed the behavior of the research group responsible for the production of hard technology in the face of the difficulties in transforming the research into a product with market potential that can be assimilated into the coverage of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS), concomitantly with the participation of public health in overcoming some barriers. The partnership between MS and UnB was used as a case study, supported in the qualitative research model with emphasis on methodological processes of mixed typology, but prioritizing participatory observation methods whose unit of analysis is linked to public health. The results showed that the contribution of public health on the production of hard technology minimized gaps for the probable transformation of the idea into a product assimilated by SUS. The participation of public health narrowed the gaps between the areas of knowledge involved, bringing the university closer to a private initiative and regulating institutions.

Background. Brasilia, the capital of Brazil, currently has the largest dumpsite of the Americas at Estrutural, with over 30 million tons of waste accumulated. Recyclable waste collectors are a group of workers who, in addition to having a low socioeconomic status and residing in vulnerable areas, work sorting garbage in inadequate and unsanitary areas. This profession puts individuals at risk, resulting in death, mutilation, and disease for workers. Objectives. The aim of this study was to understand the effects of waste on recyclable collectors, along with their perceptions of associated risks. Methods. A qualitative study was conducted, using interviews with 34 participants at Estrutural. Results. Collectors were exposed to several hazards, including biological, physical, and more extreme hazards (e.g. being run over by waste trucks). Personal protective equipment was not adequately used, exposing recyclable collectors to injury. Accidents included cuts, burns, skin lesions, eyes lesions, and arm, leg, head, feet, and hand injuries and amputations. Often, homecare remedies and collected medical waste (e.g. pain killers) were used on these injuries instead of seeking out proper medical care. Conclusions. Recyclable collectors were aware of occupational hazards, but lacked education on the risks and consequences associated with exposure to medical hazards. Moreover, Brazil recently formally closed all dumpsites, complicating this issue. The findings of the present study confirm the need to address these hazards to provide a safe working environment for waste pickers. Participant Consent. Obtained Ethics Approval. This study was approved by the Research and Ethics Committee of the Health School of Brasília University under Opinion n. 1.517.670/2016. Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests.