“We are hopeful. We really want there to be structural reforms in health, [but] these do not seem to be truly structural reforms — it seems to me that these are measures to address, once again, situations that need to be resolved, but are essentially quick fixes that will not structurally solve the health problems,” said Mariana Leitão.
In statements made to Lusa on the sidelines of the European Liberals Congress in Brussels, she pointed out that the National Health Service (SNS) “is not meeting” the needs and that it is necessary “to reform the system itself.”
On Friday, the government announced the approval of 11 health-related measures such as the creation of regional emergency services under hospital administration responsibility, the establishment of high-performance centers in gynecology and obstetrics, a new system for managing waiting lists, regulations for hiring freelance doctors, and the formation of a Fraud Combat Unit in the SNS (with criminal investigative powers to be reinforced later).
Also on Friday, the replacement of the president of the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM) was announced. The position had been held on an interim basis by Sérgio Janeiro.
“I have not yet understood the reasons […]. The president of INEM, […] has changed rapidly, but INEM continues to face serious issues with resources, with the way human resources are organized, and a lack of specialized personnel,” outlined Mariana Leitão.
