The Ministry’s position was communicated following a letter addressed to Ana Paula Martins by a group of doctors advocating for the establishment of a new incentive package to retain professionals in underserved regions and to end the so-called “Russian roulette” of emergency services.
The Ministry confirmed receiving a request for a meeting and a letter from the Medical Insurgence movement at the beginning of September, stating that it remains “constantly available to engage in dialogue with the NHS professionals, valuing their contribution to improving the health system and the care provided to citizens.”
“As in the past, the Ministry of Health will meet with representatives of the movement, maintaining an open and constructive dialogue policy,” assured the office of Ana Paula Martins.
In a letter sent to the Minister of Health, disclosed today by the newspaper Público, healthcare professionals argue that this comprehensive incentive package should include faster career progressions and an increase in pay affecting overtime hours.
They also request the extension of incentives to interns who train in underserved areas or specialties.
Considering that the Executive Board of the NHS and local health units have been unable to resolve the emergency services issues, they further request the Minister of Health to establish a coordination committee for emergencies under her direct dependency to end what they refer to as the “Russian roulette” operation mode.
In the letter, doctors also request the scheduling of a meeting to convey concerns and make proposals, ensuring that the movement does not intend to “usurp any legal competencies of medical unions or the Medical Association.”
This doctors’ movement emerged following the public petition titled ‘Manifesto of Medical Insurgence,’ launched in the summer of 2023, gathering over 9,500 signatures. The issue was discussed in the Assembly of the Republic approximately two months ago.
