The measure was approved during a specialty vote, as part of a proposal from the socialist bench for the creation of a plan to attract and retain doctors in the National Health Service (SNS) and other public sector entities, consisting of seven items, five of which were rejected.
One of the two measures approved stipulates that the program aimed at expatriate doctors wishing to return to the country should include measures for administrative simplification, fiscal and financial incentives, and immediate access to the Regressar Program.
The second approved measure pertains to the creation and strengthening of a network of nurseries with schedules and operating conditions adapted to the needs of healthcare professionals, in coordination with local health units (ULS), local governments, and social and solidarity sector entities.
To this end, extended and flexible hours must be ensured, suitable for the shifts and work regimes in place in public health services, including, whenever necessary, night and weekend operations, the proposal states.
The Chega bench also saw its proposal approved for the Government to ensure, next year, that ULS have the necessary technical and financial means to collect the costs of healthcare provided to non-resident foreigners who do not have coverage through insurance, protocol, or international agreement.
The newly approved proposal indicates that, according to the Health Activity Inspectorate (IGAS), from 2021 until September 2024, nearly 330,000 non-resident foreigners were treated in SNS emergencies, of which 43% did not have any valid coverage, with significant financial consequences.
“Only five ULS report debts exceeding 1.2 million euros related to care provided to this group of people,” it states.
