This Friday, BE accused the PSD/CDS government of following the “PS policy on steroids” and transferring public money needed for the social network to a “new private business sector.” These accusations were denied by the Minister of Health.
Opening a question to the government about the “Emergency Plan for the Health Emergency Plan presented by the government”, MP and leader of the Left Bloc Mariana Mortagua said that “the government insists on stimulating productivity, although the problem of queues will never be solved.”
He also insists on overtime when professionals say “they are tired and there are not enough professionals,” he added.
Mariana Mortagua stated that “the PSD prescription is just a previous prescription regarding steroids. This is PS’s policy on steroids.”
In response, Health Minister Ana Paula Martins said that “there is no point in insisting that the government wants to hand over the health of the Portuguese people to private groups.”
“We believe in the SNS and therefore want to strengthen it, make it more accessible, effective and attractive to medical workers. We promised and will fulfill this,” the government official assured in her speech in parliament.
Regarding BE’s criticism regarding the closure of emergency situations and the fact that the minister “sent out a document to all institutions ordering the non-disclosure of information about the closure of services”, Ana Paula Martins emphasized that “news about emergency situations with restrictions that have recently flooded the media space , cause concern.” does not reflect current reality.”
“We have the courage to openly and rigorously disclose the availability of emergency services from the north to the south of the country, using up-to-date data and in a way that is accessible to all citizens.”
He recalled that since the beginning of this week, interactive maps have been available on the SNS portal, which indicate which general, obstetric and pediatric emergency services are available.
Mariana Mortagua also stated that the plan published by the government “is not really a health plan or a solution to the problems” of SNS, given that “it is a mixture of a business plan for the private sector and the renewal of measures.” this attempt had already been made by the previous socialist government and failed.
“There are no professionals in the emergency departments who can guarantee their work. This is not a problem, another structure has been devised called clinical care centers, which will be run by the private sector. However, there are basic emergency departments across the country that are closed,” he lamented.
Ana Paula Martins acknowledged that social media’s problems are structural and that “band-aids” are not enough.
“This is reality. That is why we have immediate measures – because the Portuguese cannot continue to live without access to social networks – but we also have a gradual transformation to strengthen social networks and a comprehensive and effective response of the entire Portuguese health system,” the governor said.
He stressed that the government is committed to “better managing resources to find sustainable solutions, which is also possible with strong and unifying leadership – not only in local health facilities, but throughout the state”, and that this is included in the Health Plan. In an emergency, there is a budgetary obligation to ensure a “timely and quality” response to users.
At the beginning of her speech, Ana Paula Martins welcomed the election of António Costa as President of the European Council, considering it an important day for Europe and Portugal.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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