The National Federation of Doctors (FNAM) has issued a statement highlighting the complaints of physicians regarding delays of several months in the authorization of medications and exams. These delays reportedly have a direct impact on patient survival and prognosis. The issue has been reported to the Health Activities Inspection General (IGAS).
The FNAM further notes doctors’ concerns over inadequate basic physical conditions—such as the lack of restrooms and hot water—and a severe shortage of human resources. There is also a noted absence of a plan for retaining doctors, while the normal functioning of hospital wards relies on internal doctors.
In addition, physicians have cited “constant malfunctions” of critical equipment, particularly for chemotherapy preparation, an “unsustainable” workload, and “structural disorganization” that endangers clinical safety.
Doctors have also complained about being excluded from strategic decisions concerning the future of oncology in the region.
These revelations come after the Loulé Municipality announced at the end of March the installation of new facilities in a building where all oncology patients from the Algarve will receive treatment, thus avoiding current travel requirements to Lisbon or Seville.
This solution emerged from an agreement involving the Algarve’s ULS and the Algarve Biomedical Research and Training Academic Center (ABC), after the previous project—aimed at amending the Detailed Plan of Parque das Cidades to accommodate the construction of the new Southern Reference Oncology Centre—was abandoned. The center was originally scheduled for completion by 2024.
The new unit is expected to commence operations by mid-2026, with an investment of 3.5 million euros. Funding will be split 60% from European funds (Portugal2030) and 40% from the Loulé Municipality.
In January, the urban planning department of the Loulé Municipality rejected the construction of the Regional Oncology Centre of the South, citing that the project exceeded the designated area and failed to comply with stipulated green space requirements.
Following the agreement reached, the Algarve ULS commits to ensuring all regional PET diagnostic exams can be conducted at the new facility until the [future] Algarve Central Hospital becomes operational.
In light of these issues, the FNAM is demanding resolutions to the highlighted constraints, emphasizing the need for enhanced human and technical resources, the recognition of medical work, and the involvement of National Health Service professionals in key structural decisions such as the establishment of oncology centers.
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