A delegation from AMAL, the association of Algarve mayors, finally is to meet Health Minister Paulo Macedo in Lisbon.
The delegation comprising José Amarelinho, Jorge Botelho, Rui André, Francisco Amaral and Rogério Bacalhau have been trying to get an appointment for over two weeks and are able to see the Minister tomorrow to put forward the unanimous opinions of AMAL for greater investment in healthcare provision in the Algarve region and an end to the current management failures.
On the agenda are recent medical cases that alegedly have discredited the management of the Hospital of the Algarve group, also the difficult relationship that has flared up in public between the management, and the region’s doctors and health professionals.
Since the Algarve’s doctors sent an open letter accusing Paulo Nunes, the director of the Hospital of the Algarve group, of blackmail and for shortages of medical equipment and materials, without which the doctors can not treat patients, the situation has deteriorated.
A large demonstration in Defence of the Public Health Services of the Algarve, saw over 400 people turn out at Portimão and Faro hospitals last weekend calling for the resignation of both Paulo Nunes and the Health Minsiter Paulo Macedo
Nunes has made it clear that he would prefer to be back in Lisbon rather than running healthcare in the Algarve and failed recently to appear at a key debate on the issues, nor did he send a replacement.
The Health Ministry claims that the Algarve has had three years of special financial treatment for healthcare and so far has backed the man on the spot, Nunes.
Whether the delegation of Algarve mayors will come away with anything other than promises will be keenly watched by staff, patients, the Algarve’s population and tourism agencies which need to be able to promote the Algarve as a safe place to be should illness or accident befall a visitor.
