Despite today’s public sector strike, which is expected to primarily impact scheduled healthcare activities (appointments and surgeries), nearly all the patients interviewed at 10:00 had their consultations in the specialties of Endocrinology, Pediatrics, and Stomatology.
“In pediatrics, the doctors were present, and the consultation took place,” stated a patient leaving the central reception holding her daughter’s hand.
Patients were also being called for their thyroid consultations. A patient remarked that the strike was noticeable mainly among auxiliary staff.
Leaving the central reception, a patient expressed his expectation not to have his scheduled Gastroenterology appointment, while another patient noted that appointments in Stomatology were proceeding normaal.
At the hospital entrance, the unions held a different expectation, with Tânia Russo of the National Federation of Doctors (FNAM) indicating they anticipated a “very significant adherence across the country.”
Speaking to journalists, Russo commented that the government’s policies “have driven doctors away” and “lead to the closure of services, putting patients at risk.”
“The government has been unwilling to negotiate with FNAM and hasn’t listened to FNAM. The supposed negotiations are nothing more than a charade by this Ministry, with no real intention to negotiate,” said Tânia Russo.
She explained that during the last meeting on emergency services, the union was not provided with the government’s proposal documents. When the information reached the unions a week later, it was evident that it lacked several topics discussed in the meeting.
“What was sent differs, omitting certain issues mentioned by the minister, such as the 500-euro supplement for travel, which would still be insufficient,” stated Tânia Russo, lamenting that the government now wants to “impose the forced relocation of doctors up to 60 kilometers.”
Russo emphasized that forcing doctors to travel for emergency duties “could lead to more professionals leaving the National Health Service, reducing public access to services,” insisting that such relocations should always be voluntary.
The Common Front is conducting a public administration strike since midnight, accusing the government of degrading working conditions and underfunding public services.
Participation is expected from teachers, educators, school staff, doctors, nurses, healthcare assistants, public transport workers, inspectors, financial officers, judicial employees, among others.
Demands include salary increases, career enhancement, restoration of public service tenure, and defense of public services, underlining the reasons for the general strike encompassing all state workers.
