The Secretary General of the PCP, Paulo Raimundo, revealed this Saturday that the party will introduce a bill for discussion in the plenary assembly of the Republic proposing the amendment of the statute of the National Health Service (SNS).
In a public session entitled “In defense of the SNS and the right of everyone to health”, in the municipal library of Viana do Castelo, Paulo Raimundo explained that the amendment defended by the communists “focuses on removing the most negative guidelines from the government-approved degree and in introducing key measures to address the challenges currently facing the social networking service”.
“An amendment proposing to remove the various openings for the provision of more services to private groups, proposing the dignity and appreciation of professionals, strengthening the importance of careers, introducing an optional regime of exclusive dedication and of standards for the incentive to settle in deprived areas, the promotion of strengthening the number of health workers and the real autonomy of the services to respond to the needs of the population,” he specified.
Paulo Raimundo, speaking to about a hundred people, recalled that at the end of January the PCP submitted to the Health Commission “a request to hear the Minister of Health, the Executive Director of the SNS and the Chairman of the Board”. from the Central Administration of the Health System (ACSS), to get clarification on the lack of professionals in each health entity that integrates the SNS and the program envisaged by the government to ensure the service to the missing professionals and improve their careers ” .
This was announced by the communist leader “In view of the need to ensure access to health for all, the PCP will take legislative initiatives to ensure full reimbursement of medicines for the elderly, the chronically ill and users with economic distress and ensure that non-emergency patient transport is free, so that everyone has access to travel under appropriate conditions for the consultations, treatments and examinations they need”.
“We are aware of the challenges ahead. But we also know that there are many forces available to defend the right to health and demand the strengthening of the National Health Service”.
He stressed the need to “mobilize” society as a whole, “from health professionals, their unions, population groups, user committees, civic associations and many personalities who are unequivocally positioned in defense of the SNS”.
“This initiative of ours renews the call and commitment to everyone to take the defense of the SNS into their own hands,” said after hearing the testimonies of professionals from the Alto Minho Local Health Unit (ULSAM).
Paulo Raimundo added that “you only have to look at the realities of private health to see all this nice talk about neutrality, complementarity and freedom of choice on the ground”.
“What’s simple and brings in money, they’re there ready to solve. What’s complex is forwarded to the National Health Service, which doesn’t shut the door on anyone, no matter how serious their situation. And it’s gaining traction private health as government money is diverted from the SNS to these economic groups, who are better able to provide a more expensive service, while the SNS faces waiting lists, closures and referrals and we do not accept that this will stay that way,” he emphasizes.
Source: DN
