The qualification of health agents working with indigenous communities is essential to ensure  adequate implementation of the guidelines set out by the National Policy for Health Care of Indigenous Peoples (PNASPI, acronym in Portuguese). It was in this regard that the Indigenous Health Agent (AIS) and Indigenous Sanitation Agent (AISAN) qualification program was established. The program is designed by i) specialists in the indigenous health area; ii) teachers of Technical Schools of the Brazilian National Health System (ET-SUS, acronym in Portuguese); iii) Indigenous Health workers and iv) Manager of the Indigenous District Health Council (CONDISI, acronym in Portuguese).

The program consists of: [...] a strategy that aims to favor the appropriation, rather than replacement, of knowledge and technical resources of Western medicine by indigenous peoples, so as to complement traditional and cultural health practices. (BRAZIL, 2018)

It is worth noting that AISAN activities include “interventions in the field of environmental regulation and sanitation (operation/maintenance of water supply systems; preservation of springs; disposal of solid waste from villages), as well as environmental and health guidance/education, [...]". These activities thus create possibilities for improving environmental sanitation and expand the mobilization of the community around sanitation and their relationship with nature”. (BRAZIL, 2018)

AIS and AISAN are distributed in all regions of the country and actively contribute to advances and improvements in the health of Brazilian indigenous peoples, especially with regards to infant mortality, prenatal coverage, sanitary conditions, access to quality water, health surveilance of children, vaccination and health surveillance of the indigenous population in general.