The union leader reported a “strong participation” in the strike called for today, with doctors also joining, leading to an overall participation rate of 70% to 80% when combined with nurses and general regime workers.
“Healthcare in Algarve is at a standstill today. At Faro Hospital, the emergency service and operating rooms are operating on minimum service. The emergency service is actually functioning below the minimum services, which unfortunately reflects the normal situation in Algarve,” he stated.
In Faro, at least two Family Health Units had 100% participation in the strike, with others not entirely closed but missing several professionals, he added.
According to André Gomes, the functioning of emergency services on the strike day mirrors typical days due to a lack of workers, which increases delays in response times and extends waiting periods.
“There are fewer workers than necessary, even in normal times, and this is not because of the strike. If you visit tomorrow or next week, you will encounter the same situation; it’s the same scenario,” he emphasized.
André Gomes further highlighted that, in Central Algarve, namely Faro, Albufeira, and Loulé, only one doctor provides palliative care throughout the entire year.
“Thus, it’s not the strike, but a year-long critical situation in Algarve. This strike serves as a wake-up call to save Algarve, which is our appeal to the Government,” he concluded.
The strike affecting Algarve’s healthcare services today has impacted emergency services, outpatient consultations, and the operational status of the Faro Hospital’s operating room, according to union sources that organized the strike.
For nurses, participation in the strike is around 80%, and in the operating room, participation is at 100%, with all scheduled surgeries canceled except for oncological surgeries, as noted by the unions.
The strike, scheduled from 00:00 to 24:00 today, involves all healthcare professionals working in the National Health Service (SNS) in the region (corresponding to the Faro district), who demand measures including more staff recruitment to mitigate the strain they claim to be experiencing.
