Espeaking to journalists in parliament, Mário Amorim Lopes asserted that “it is time to reform the Portuguese health system,” arguing that, given the number of reported issues, there is a “deep-rooted problem” that originated from previous administrations.
“The Government is right when it says the problems originated from the Socialist Party, but the truth is the Government, to this day, has not made decisions, has not had the courage to decide, and to start reforming the health system,” he criticized, expressing the party’s willingness to present “reformist proposals to provide the Portuguese with the healthcare they deserve.”
In response to whether Health Minister Ana Paula Martins should remain in government, the liberal deputy argued that “if the resignation of the Health Minister would solve the problems,” IL would be the first party to request it, but noted the minister must assess whether she has the capacity to implement the necessary reforms in the SNS.
“The minister needs to decide if she has the capacity to do it; if she does, very well, that is what the Portuguese need, if not, then she should step aside for someone who does,” he stated.
Mário Amorim Lopes emphasized, “political courage is needed to make the right decisions” in health, and this Government has been given many opportunities; it is now the time for “action and political decision.”
Regarding the Prime Minister’s remarks, which indicated that the “SNS can save the private health sector if it does not send so many users there,” the leader of the IL parliamentary group suggested that private, social, and public sectors should work together to “save the Portuguese.”
“It is necessary for everyone to be on the same boat to care for the health of the Portuguese, regardless of whether it is public, private, or social. Our concern is one: to care for the health of the Portuguese. It is time for this Government, this minister, this Prime Minister to make decisions to reform the health system,” he declared.
The president of the Amadora-Sintra Local Health Unit (ULS) resigned following the case of the pregnant woman who died on Friday, announced the Health Minister today.
Ana Paula Martins informed journalists in Porto that on Sunday, the chairman of the ULS Amadora-Sintra’s board offered his resignation after providing incomplete information about the pregnant woman.
“On Sunday, the chairman of the ULS Amadora-Sintra’s board informed me that part of the information previously given was incomplete, meaning that the information I had conveyed was not the complete information because the pregnant woman had indeed received follow-up consultations in the primary healthcare of the same ULS,” she stated at the end of a visit to Sword Health’s facilities.
