The Diário de Notícias reported today that an email was sent to contracted medical professionals, following a visit by Health Minister Ana Paula Martins. Martins is scheduled to meet with the association representing these contract doctors.
The communication reportedly “irritated” and “angered” the medical community, with the Health Unit of Castelo Branco indicating that the issue should be partially resolved by December and fully by January.
The association representing contracted doctors will convene with the Health Minister to address the Government’s intention to reduce hourly rates for service providers. This proposal has caused dissatisfaction among doctors, leading to potential protests that could impact emergency services.
In most hospitals, providers receive between 35 and 39 euros per hour. The newspaper states that the Health Unit of Castelo Branco is among the better-paying institutions, having contracted 106,079 hours of medical services by September this year, costing approximately five million euros.
