Paulo Raimundo spoke today in Montijo, in the district of Setúbal, during a public CDU session to mark the 46th anniversary of the National Health Service (SNS) under the theme “Health is a right. Value the SNS,” attended by user commissions and CDU candidates for the municipalities of Montijo, Alcochete, and Moita.
“We need to end this scandalous inconsistency of open and closed emergency wards. We need to create conditions for safety and avoid endangering lives, which is what’s happening daily with the obstetrics and pediatrics emergency situation,” he stated, also referring to the recent closure of the obstetrics emergency at Hospital Garcia de Orta in Almada, which on Saturday left the Setúbal Peninsula without care for pregnant women.
The PCP’s general secretary further argued that it is necessary to restore confidence and hope in individuals and to recruit, retain, and motivate all healthcare professionals.
“If we create career opportunities and working conditions, I have no doubt that most who left the SNS will return. If we involve doctors, nurses, and professionals in building this project and give them conditions, we will once again have the SNS with doctors, nurses, and technicians serving the population,” he emphasized.
Addressing the obstetrics and gynecology emergency situation in the Setúbal Peninsula, Paulo Raimundo noted that if there is an intention to establish only one single emergency service in this territory, it should be opposed.
“A developed country does not distance services from people; it brings services closer to people. This is a step back,” he added.
Paulo Raimundo maintained that there are reasons to celebrate the SNS, which despite challenges, “continues not to ask about account balances, insurance policy numbers, or illnesses to decide on treatment.”
“The SNS guarantees everyone equally, regardless of account values, creed, nationality, or skin color. The SNS is and will continue to be what it was created for: to ensure everyone has access to health equally,” he stated.
