Dr. Aiex leaves a memorable legacy

Psychiatrist José Elias Aiex Neto, Dr. Aiex, 71, passed away this Friday, the 12th, in Foz do Iguaçu, a city where he dedicated a tireless fight for public health, read SUS (Unified Health System), and which granted him, in 2023, the title of Honorary Citizen. Graduated in Medicine from the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), he dedicated almost half a century of his life to the health of the community and in the cultural and political fields. Aiex died after a long battle with aggressive cancer. He left a unique legacy.

With a restless soul and spirit, it is clear from his career in various professional associations that he believed that his utopias for a more just and humane Foz and Brazil would come about through an organized society. “My greatest utopia is to live in a better country, in a better city,” he said describing his actions as a citizen when he was honored in 2015.

Aiex went beyond clinical outpatient clinics and shared his knowledge at the head of several entities, such as the Academy of Culture of Foz do Iguaçu, of which he was a founding member. As a writer, he published six books, including “Life in search of discernment”, “Psychiatry without a soul” and “Barbárie consentida”.

In an interview given during the Marco Zero program, regarding this latest book, he mentioned the accumulation of income by a minimal percentage of the population and the precariousness of work, which lead to emotional pathologies. “Given this social situation, people suffer from burnout syndrome, stress, depression, drug addiction, alcohol addiction, and medication addiction. Are you going to give an antidepressant or tranquilizer to a citizen who doesn’t have money to feed his family?” he asked, citing the perversity of neoliberalism.

Aiex wrote articles and letters that were published in local, regional and national press, such as Folha de São Paulo. He was one of the founders and also chaired the Foz do Iguaçu Human Rights Center, a civil association where he worked until recently. A civil servant from Iguaçu, Dr. Aiex was the municipal secretary of Health and Anti-Drugs. He chaired the Medical Association of Paraná and Cascavel, municipal health councils, and created the Anti-Drugs Council of Foz do Iguaçu in 2005, currently called the Municipal Council for Drug Policies.

“Seven percent of Brazilian families suffer from alcoholism, but there is no campaign against alcoholism,” explained Aiex, in interview at Marco Zero, when mentioning the LOBBY of the industry that profits from the citizen's addiction.

Political agent

The psychiatrist also has a political presence in Foz do Iguaçu, having been affiliated with political parties such as PT, Psol, Rede and PDT, and running for elected office. In a book he co-authored, he recounted his experience as a coordinator of the “Frentona”, a consortium of 18 political parties that defeated the “Família Silva” in 2004, a traditional local political group, which led to Paulo Mac Donald Ghisi becoming mayor, with whom Aiex later broke off.

Running for mayor in 2012 against Chico Brasileiro, who at the time was a member of the PCdoB and represented continuity, Dr. Aiex starred in emblematic moments during the televised debates. The doctor clashed with Brasileiro mainly on issues related to the functioning and quality of public health in Foz do Iguaçu, listing the real problems faced by users.

Testimonies from Aiex's classmates, in February 2023, when he was awarded the title of Honorary Citizen, show how much he was admired.

“A very fair tribute! I am a classmate of Dr. Aiex and I can attest that he has always shown a great interest in helping to alleviate the suffering of others, always standing by the side of the most humble and defending the right to quality health care for all! I feel very honored to have a colleague and friend who is a doctor with all these credentials!” Mário Sérgio Júlio Cerci

“I am a classmate of Dr. Aiex. This doctor was and will always be remembered for his activities in favor of the well-being of all people who, depending on him as a doctor, always received the necessary attention throughout their journey. If this were not enough, he goes beyond medicine and leaves his mark in Foz do Iguaçu with attitudes always in favor of the well-being of people. I am happy that the Chamber remembered him for granting him this title.” Cícero Pereira

“I know Dr. Aiex. He is a unique human being. He has always been dedicated to humanitarian causes, defending the rights of the less fortunate. It is an honor to see him receive such recognition. Dr. Aiex, may God always protect you with good health.” Rosilda Souza Da Rocha 

Aiex was married to Jane Eliza Demarco Aiex and father of two children, Antônio Emílio and Isabele. The body of the doctor and writer was laid out from 13 pm in Chapel 1 of the São João Batista Municipal Cemetery, in the central region of Foz do Iguaçu and then taken to the Perpétuo Socorro crematorium in Campo Largo, in the region of Curitiba.