The pediatric emergency service at the Santa Luzia Hospital in Viana do Castelo will be closed on Saturday and Sunday, it was announced this Thursday.
“The local health department of Alto Minho, EPE, advises that, despite the efforts of all participating organizations, due to difficulties in meeting the required work schedules, the pediatric emergency service will be limited to Saturday and Sunday from 8:00. morning at 8:00 (24 hours),” says the message sent to the editor this Thursday.
The Board of Directors of the Local Health Unit of Alto Minho (ULSAM) warns that in emergency situations, parents/guardians in the region should contact hospitals in Braga, Senhora da Oliveira, Guimarães, Hospital Center. Médio Aves (CHMA), in Vila Nova de Famalicão, at the Hospital Center of Povoa de Varzim, in Vila do Conde, at the hospital in Barcelos or call SNS24.
ULSAM also states that the basic emergency service (SUB) at Monsan Health Center will be closed from Friday to Sunday.
ULSAM combines two SUBs in Monsan and Ponte de Lima.
“The board of directors reacted with great concern to the doctors’ refusal to spend more than 150 hours. [extraordinárias anuais a que estão obrigados]which creates many difficulties in the work of emergency services and the care of our patients, forcing them to travel and complicating care,” emphasizes ULSAM.
According to the ULSAM administration, “Despite this, there are doctors who have shown exemplary behavior with a sense of humanity, worked hard and allowed the emergency service to remain open.”
As the Christmas period approaches, the ULSAM board of directors hopes for “common sense and understanding in relation to patients, regardless of the rights that may be invoked.”
“The board of directors has no alternative but to cope with the challenges and make the necessary adjustments as best they can,” ULSAM argues.
ULSAM’s board of directors, whose mandate expired in 2019, was reduced to two members following the resignations of the clinic director on October 1 and the nursing director at the end of the same month.
Following these layoffs, ULSAM’s board of directors was reduced to President Franklim Ramos and one member.
The ULSAM Board of Directors consists of five members, with the seat held by a representative of the county’s 10 municipalities remaining unfilled following the last local elections in 2021.
Previously, this position was held by Rui Teixeira, who was elected in this election as President of the Chamber of Vila Nova de Cerveira.
ULSAM manages the Santa Luzia Hospital in Viana do Castelo and the Conde de Bertiandos Hospital in Ponte de Lima. It also includes 12 health centers, one public health unit and two convalescent units, serving a resident population of 231,488 people in 10 district municipalities and some neighboring communities in Braga County.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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