Cemicamp is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization. Its initial
objectives were to expedite and optimize the research and outreach programs
of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Unicamp School
of Medical Sciences. This included the development of operational research
to establish models of medical care; support for the post-graduate education
in health; and the establishment of a mother and child institute in
the region. Currently, Cemicamp develops or assesses research and undertakes
activities in the areas of sexual/ reproductive health and rights.
Cemicamp
was the brainchild of several physicians who were professors of the
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. They were already developing
research related to women’s health, with resources from national
and international institutions. However, they faced great difficulties
with the administration of these resources, due to the level of bureaucracy
at the University. By setting up the Center, they were able to increase
the efficiency with which the resources were received and handled.
Professor José Aristodemo Pinotti played a key role in the creation
of the Center, in its development and in securing the donation of the
land where Cemicamp’s headquarters are located. At the time, the
University campus ended on the Vital Brazil Street, in front of the
Stae University of Campinas main hospital.
Since
1986, Cemicamp shares part of its building with the University. The
latter operates the Human Reproduction Clinic of the Department of Obstetrics
and Gynecology and also a “Resting House”. This service
offers lodging to patients who need to be close to the hospital, but
nor hospitalized, for treatment at the Center for Integral Attention
to Women’s Health (CAISM) that is the University’s hospital
for women.
Professor Pinotti was President of Cemicamp up until 1989, when he voluntarily
stepped down. However, he continues to give important support to the
Center. Cemicamp began as a team of four people. With the passing of
time, others joined the activities and today, it has 31 employees, 26
funded by the Center, 04 by the University and 01 by Funcamp. Among
the employees of Cemicamp, there are seven with PhD degrees and several
with a Master Degree. Currently, five Unicamp professors conduct projects
using the structure of the Center.
Nowadays,
Cemicamp has a multidisciplinary team that works with the Center’s
own resources or those generated by national and international in research
and activities to promote sexual and reproductive rights. It also partners
with Unicamp, actively collaborating in patient care, education and
research of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Dr. José
Guilherme Cecatti
Acting President
