The former Health Minister, Ana Jorge, expressed on Tuesday her doubts about the sustainability of Ana Paula Martins as Health Minister, indicating that Martins appears “very tired and worn out” from a personal standpoint.
“I have some doubts about whether this minister can remain in her position for much longer, for various reasons. From a personal standpoint, it is evident that the minister is very tired and worn out. She is in a very complex sector where all areas are dissatisfied—from users to professionals—and it is not very clear what direction the Prime Minister wants for Health,” Ana Jorge stated to CNN Portugal.
Ana Jorge elaborated that given the pressure, “it seems there is a desire from the Prime Minister for Minister Ana Paula Martins to stay, as, according to him, some decrees are currently pending approval.”
The former minister also noted the difficulty of engaging all necessary parties within the National Health Service (SNS) under the current conditions, stating that this is particularly at risk.
“It involves health professionals and the users themselves, with their confidence in the system and service, which probably requires a stronger renewal. At this moment, often exhaustion does not allow for a new impetus,” she remarked.
However, the former minister highlighted that simply changing leadership does not resolve the problems in the health sector, emphasizing the need for a plan.
“Merely changing the minister does not solve the Ministry’s or the country’s health issues. A plan is needed; understanding the pathway is essential. The primary issue currently is the emergency services, but resolving them does not solve Health’s problems. Emphasis needs to be placed on other areas so that pressure on emergency services decreases,” she clarified, noting that “more proximal responses would reduce emergency visits.”
Regarding the national agreement proposed by President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Ana Jorge expressed skepticism about reaching a consensus among all parties, citing divergent positions. She recalled, though, that in the past, a good public health service was achieved not through a regime pact, but through coordination between successive governments, even those of different political orientations.
“There would be a logical sense for the current government to listen to the parties, notably the PS, which is closer to the PSD in social matters, to reach some understanding and overcome this very challenging phase we are in,” she urged.
Despite this, and compared to her tenure in the two governments of José Sócrates, Ana Jorge acknowledged that managing the Health portfolio is currently more challenging.
“There are several factors. One is human resources, which are fewer relative to the number of users. Additionally, there is a significant lack of career structure, or rather, defined careers do not exist, and there is no SNS without careers and no careers without SNS. This important combination should be considered to solidify what is a public health service,” she explained.
