“Emergencies are emergencies at any time of the day, not just from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. or 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and it’s not easy for a pregnant woman to wander around not knowing when the service is open,” stated Nélia Ferreira, spokesperson for the Vialonga Health Users Commission (Lisbon district) and the National Directorate of MUSP.
At a press conference launching a nationwide petition from MUSP demanding a series of measures to improve public services, the spokesperson highlighted that public health services are being neglected while the private sector is being favored.
Ferreira cited the example of Vila Franca de Xira Hospital within the Estuary of the Tagus Local Health Unit in the Lisbon District, noting closures of pediatric and obstetric emergencies.
“The hospital is being completely emptied,” stated the spokesperson.
According to Ferreira, to resolve the issue, it is essential to form teams, pay doctors a fair salary, invest in recruitment to integrate professionals into the system, and improve working conditions for staff.
In education, MUSP’s permanent group spokesperson, Humberto Costa, pointed out that the shortage of teachers results in overcrowded classes, including those with students who have special educational needs.
To address the issue, Costa emphasized the need to invest in public schools, highlighting that teachers require better working conditions.
Regarding mobility, MUSP’s Lisbon transport commission spokesperson, Cecília Sales, noted that many elevators in metro and train stations are out of order.
She mentioned that these outages affect people with reduced mobility and those with strollers.
“Out of 120 elevators, 50 are broken,” stated Sales, indicating that the outages last for months.
Sales also highlighted issues with malfunctioning escalators and overcrowded trains and buses.
The MUSP petition will be submitted to Prime Minister Luís Montenegro and the President of the Assembly of the Republic José Pedro Aguiar-Branco after collecting signatures.
The document also criticizes waiting lists for consultations and surgeries, increased tuition fees, and rising housing costs.
The petition proposes solutions such as enhancing careers in the National Health Service (SNS), expanding the network of free daycare centers, strengthening public security with community patrols, among other proposals for public services.
BC // JMR
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