The Santa Maria Local Health Unit (ULS) is initiating legal proceedings against people who insult their health workers on social media, saying the insults go beyond freedom of expression.
“The measure now announced is aimed at protecting the professionals of ULS de Santa Maria and the institution itself from harmful external attacks that undermine the best practices and good name of its teams, published by third parties on social networks,” he explained this Wednesday of the institution, in a response sent to the Lusa agency.
The clarification, based on information initially provided by the Observador newspaper, refers to an internal order of the hospital department dated August 19, signed by the chairman of the board of directors, Carlos Martins, which is circulated on social networks and defines the investigation of the legal department’s processes “with the autonomy and competence inherent in any and all presentations, information or publications.”
In the document, Carlos Martins also specifies that “every month the Legal Department will send a brief report on this responsibility, which will be presented for consideration and possible resolution at the weekly meeting of the Board of Directors or an extraordinary meeting if justified.”
ULS Santa Maria representatives explained to Luse that “these are offensive publications that go beyond simple criticism and are completely outside the legal channels for users to file complaints, namely through the Citizens’ Office.”
“This measure does not affect the content that each individual professional publishes on their social networks,” he stressed, pointing out that the proposal came from the Legal Authority, “taking into account recent external publications that attack the honor of professionals and, therefore, of the institution’s company itself.”
ULS de Santa Maria stressed that it “hopes not to have to use this legal mechanism against third parties”, stressing that it “will never hesitate to defend the good name and moral integrity of its professionals”.
The Ministry of Health, contacted by Lusa, declined to comment on the matter.