Health professionals have urged the Health Minister to implement a comprehensive package that includes faster career progressions and an increase in overtime pay, as detailed in a letter published today. They also seek the expansion of incentives for medical residents training in underserved areas or specialties.
Expressing concern that the National Health Service’s (SNS) Executive Directorate and local health units have not resolved the emergency service issues, they call for the formation of a direct-oversight emergency coordination committee under the Minister’s authority to cease what is described as a “Russian roulette” operation mode.
The letter also requests a meeting to communicate concerns and suggest proposals, clarifying that the movement does not aim to usurp the legal duties of medical trade unions or the Medical Association.
This movement of doctors emerged following the publication of the “Manifesto da Insubmissão Médica” public petition in summer 2023, which garnered over 9,500 signatures and was debated in Parliament approximately two months ago.
In August last year, representatives of the movement met with the Health Minister. However, given the worsening situation within the SNS and the medical career sector, they have requested another meeting.
The movement underscores the urgency of addressing the doctor shortage in interior regions as well as in the metropolitan areas of Lisbon, Porto, and Coimbra. They reference the 2022 Medical Career Report, created by the Medical Association under then-President Miguel Guimarães (now a PSD deputy), proposing measures to retain doctors in underserved areas.
Suggested measures include fiscal benefits and increased involvement from local councils in providing housing and reducing the municipal property tax for those choosing to purchase a home.
As an example, the letter suggests reinstating a municipal settlement allowance for general and family medicine, taking into account housing costs, population dispersion, and other criteria.
Doctors assert that retention policies will be more successful if initiated during general and specialized training periods. Incentives should be provided to residents training in underserved areas or specialties.
Some proposed measures are already included in the legislation regulating incentives for underserved job positions, such as increased vacation days, travel expense compensation, preference for spouse selection in public administration recruitment if they hold a public-sector job, and the transfer of minors to schools in the placement area.
Regarding emergency services, there’s concern over the “Russian roulette” operation within the SNS. It is argued that the SNS Executive Directorate and local health units have shown “shocking incompetence” in managing these services, and a direct oversight emergency coordination committee should be established under the Health Minister’s authority.
