A new citizens’ movement in Defence of the Public Health Services of the Algarve is kicking off its activities with a rally in Portimão and a Sunday demonstration along the EN 125. Both actions have the aim of forcing the resignation of the Minister of Health.
The movement has stated that that its actions intend to highlight the "degradation in the region of the National Health Service and at the same time to ask for the resignation of the Health Minister, Paulo Macedo" and of course the president of the Board of Directors of the Hospitals of the Algarve, Pedro Nunes who wants to go back to Lisbon anyway.
According to the movement, these two men are responsible for the mess that the health service finds itself in, as well as Lisbon, "This government is primarily responsible for the political destruction of the NHS in the Algarve and across the country," reads the movement’s statement.
On Saturday, a human chain will be formed at 3.30pm in front of Portimão Hospital, and on Sunday the 'March for Our Health’ will consist of a convoy of cars being driven along the EN 125 between Portimão and Faro hospitals. This will start at 2.00pm in front of Portimão Hospital.
The citizens' movement argues that the NHS in the Algarve is in melt down due to the "destructive policies imposed by the Troika and the government coalition, particularly at the public hospitals in Faro, Portimão and Lagos."
According to the movement the hospital in Lagos is at risk of shutting down and Portimão Hospital is in a total mess due to the tardy approval of new appointments and the lack of medication for cancer patients.
A recent petition signed by 182 Algarve-based doctors reported allegations of surgery postponements due a lack of materials, a lack of medicines, bullying and harassment - all of which is firmly denied by the hospitals’ director Pedro Nunes who somehow has the backing of the regional health board.
