After visiting the São João do Estoril family health unit, Inês de Sousa Real criticized the current government’s health policy, accusing it of attempting to privatize the National Health Service (SNS) rather than increasing investment. She urged the Prime Minister to apply his “experience as CEO” in managing the SNS.
“I question how Luís Montenegro, with his CEO experience, is unable to ensure that health is managed with the same skill he seemingly applies to his personal cases,” she remarked, alluding to a matter involving the Prime Minister’s family business that resulted in the government’s resignation following a failed confidence motion.
Sousa Real identified health as a major weakness of Luís Montenegro’s government, arguing that its “ideology and ideological foundation” do not prioritize public service in health, which has been evident in the “degradation” of services provided.
The PAN leader emphasized the “absolute necessity to find measures that enable the valuing of health professionals,” advocating for the restoration of the “salary competitiveness of previous years” to address doctor shortages in “highly pressured” areas like Lisbon.
Inês de Sousa Real also highlighted the incident regarding INEM’s failures, which allegedly contributed to the deaths of at least 11 individuals, and reiterated that the Minister of Health, Ana Paula Martins, should have resigned, describing it as “unacceptable” for her to remain in her position.
When asked about the political similarities between PAN and the Socialist Party, the spokesperson assured that her party “has been more ambitious” than the socialists, noting that PAN proposed preventive health policies rejected by the prior government of António Costa.
Regarding partnerships with the private sector in health, Sousa Real remarked, “During the pandemic, it became very clear that it is the National Health Service, not the private sector, that provides the solution,” asserting that “the private sector must be complementary” to the SNS.
The PAN spokesperson highlighted the party’s achievements in parliament, such as supporting the fight against menstrual poverty, and promised that in the next legislature, the party will propose expanding family health units and offering more support for valuing professionals.
