The former PS leader concluded a meeting in Lisbon organized by his campaign to discuss health solutions with various experts, including former ministers from socialist governments Adalberto Campos Fernandes, Maria de Belém, and physician Álvaro Beleza, as well as his national representative, researcher Maria do Carmo Fonseca.
“The culture of hypocrisy is represented by those voices that always say agreements are necessary, and then, when someone dares to present a concrete proposal, they do not look at the content and say that pacts do not solve the problems,” he told journalists afterward.
Health has been a central issue for Seguro, who advocates a pact for this sector, a plan he submitted to fellow presidential candidate André Ventura during their debate.
“Call it what you will, but we need an instrument that creates commitments among all political actors, among all parties, to address the healthcare access issues for Portuguese citizens, ensuring they receive timely and adequate healthcare,” he stated.
Seguro was also asked if he felt “more at ease” with the support announced this week by former PS leader José Sócrates for presidential candidate Henrique Gouveia e Melo.
“I’m not surprised, considering the completely separate paths our political lives have taken,” said the former PS secretary-general, who has the party’s official backing.
Discussing whether the current health sector issues are due to an increased role of private entities, the presidential candidate for January 18 emphasized that the current context “is completely different from what happened 50 years, 40 years, or 30 years ago.”
“Instead of burying our heads in the sand, we need to look at the context and strengthen the National Health Service [SNS]. The SNS is a condition of justice and dignified living for all because it is a universal service accessible to both those with and without a lot of money. We cannot lose this heritage,” he responded.
Asked who is failing in this sector, he decried what he called a “blame-passing culture, where everyone who arrives says the fault lies with the previous administration.”
“We must place ourselves in a completely different situation: there are problems, Portuguese citizens are having difficulty accessing healthcare in a timely manner. What must we do to remove these barriers?” he reiterated.
The former PS secretary-general emphasized that what the Portuguese people want is that, when they need a doctor, “there is an appointment and consultation, when they need surgery, it is done in a timely manner, and that emergency services are available when people need them.” He also lamented the current “anxiety and distress” experienced by pregnant women.
Seguro considered that there is today “a significant setback compared to the advances made by the National Health Service” and said the meeting today allows him to begin addressing this issue without delay.
“We will not even wait for March 9 to arrive to, if the Portuguese grant me that trust, take office and call the parties. We are working because this is a national urgency,” he stated.
Questioned about his health—which led him to postpone a debate on Thursday with IL-endorsed candidate João Cotrim Figueiredo—he said he has followed all medical advice and was authorized to leave today, hoping to participate in the next televised debate scheduled for Monday with Jorge Pinto (endorsed by Livre).
