A week before the planned date, the government yesterday approved the decree establishing the new executive leadership of the National Health Service (SNS), as the act of farewell to Marta Temido from the portfolio she led for almost four years. The anticipation of the diploma should also accelerate the appointment of a new health care holder who could take place in the coming days, predictably after the return of the President of the Republic – on a visit to Brazil on the occasion of the commemorations of the 200th anniversary of its independence – and who will be back in Lisbon this Saturday.
In her farewell, at the usual press conference after the Council of Ministers, Marta Temido wished her successor “good luck” and assured that she will continue to “serve” the SNS, now in “other ways”. Asked about the reasons for the departure, and the permanence in the position already in the state of resignation, the silent head of Health sent an explanation of the note she issued on the night of the resignation, at the end of August, adding only added: “I have continued to work and serve my government and my country, as I have done until now, grateful for this opportunity I have been given. there are times when we also assess what our personal context is and when we assess the conditions to continue on the road. That’s what I’ve done now.” Regarding the appointment of the future executive director of the SNS, Marta Temido said it will be made by “a resolution of the Council of Ministers on a proposal from the health sector” and also by the investigation of CRESAP (Recruitment and Selection Committee for Public Administration). A “new moment”, which will already be the responsibility of his successor.
And I didn’t say much more. Questioned successively about her departure and succession, it was the minister of the presidency who came forward with the answer – “in conjunction with the minister of health”. First, Mariana Vieira da Silva explained that the minister was in the government after her resignation: “[Marta Temido] made his place available, the Prime Minister understood the importance of closing this step. It has to do with the timing and urgency of the answers we need to give. There is a collective decision here by the government.” Then he reiterated that the… succession is up to “the Prime Minister in conjunction with the President of the Republic”. In view of the reply from the Minister of the Presidency, Marta Temido refused to take the floor.
Direction of the SNS “full” in January 2023
Regarding the decree approved by the Council of Ministers, Mariana Vieira da Silva said the executive leadership of the SNS should “be fully operational by January 2023”, in addition to the entry into force of the state budget. One guaranteed that it came after a question about the announced closure of the Alfredo da Costa maternity ward outside Lisbon, in Lisbon. “The information we have is that there is no more restriction” in the country’s largest maternity hospital, the presidency minister said, stating that this is the kind of situation that needs to be addressed by the future executive leadership of the SNS. At the beginning of the briefing, Marta Temido had stated that this new structure is intended to respond to the “need for more operational coordination of relief efforts”. “One of the critical factors for the success of this executive direction is its relationship with the other units of the health system,” such as the central administration of the health system or the shared services of the SNS, he explained, so the new law “details.” of form and proper seats for articulation”.
The possible successors
In the list of possible successors to Marta Temido, there are several names. It is the case of Fernando Araújo, a 56-year-old physician (specialist in immuno-haemotherapy) who directs the Centro Hospitalar Universitário São João (CHUSJ). Not being a socialist militant, he was Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Health in António Costa’s first government, from November 2015 to October 2018 (with Adalberto Campos Fernandes as minister). Fernando Araújo has recently taken a critical position in the management of the National Health Service.
Another name appointed as minister is Raquel Duarte, pulmonologist at the Vila Nova de Gaia / Espinho Hospital Center, with an academic background in Public Health and Health Economics. Raquel Duarte was also Secretary of State for Health in António Costa’s first government, but already in Marta Temido’s consulate. He was part of the team that presented deflation proposals to the government during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Also a doctor, but in this case coming from the socialist ranks, there is also the possibility to Manuel Pizarro, currently Member of the European Parliament. A similar situation is that of António Lacerda Sales, a doctor and socialist activist (he headed the list for Leiria in the last legislature), the current Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Health, in what would be a solution of continuity are in light of Marta Temido’s mandate.
Source: DN
