Former Chief of the Navy expressed his support at the conclusion of a visit to the neonatology department at São Francisco Xavier Hospital in Lisbon, where he praised the “mission spirit” and “love for public service” demonstrated by the professionals in this unit.
“This unit means a lot to me: both of my children were born here. My eldest son was born at eight months gestation and was treated here,” the admiral recalled, who had earlier shared with doctors that he felt “a different atmosphere” in this department at São Xavier Hospital, similar to that at São João Hospital in Porto.
“The obstetrics unit has great capability, but also faces issues. It was important to be here and listen directly, through firsthand testimony, to the problems faced by doctors, nurses, and health assistants,” he said.
In this context, Admiral Gouveia e Melo declared himself a “staunch defender of the SNS (National Health Service) because it is the only way to ensure social cohesion, guaranteeing that no citizen’s health is dependent on their financial capacity.”
“This is a basic requirement for having a cohesive and humane society. That’s what I advocate,” he emphasized, before indirectly criticizing any potential shift of the Portuguese health system toward an American model.
“I am against weakening the SNS. I think we should determine the direction we want for health in general terms, but never through undermining the SNS,” he added.
