“We don’t understand why there isn’t financial availability to bring more doctors to the National Health Service (SNS), especially since the National Federation of Doctors has pointed out solutions. This involves a serious negotiation, not a facade,” said Joana Bordalo e Sá at the end of a meeting with the coordinator of the Left Bloc (BE), Mariana Mortágua, in Porto.
The meeting, which served to discuss the strike called for September 24 and 25, will happen with more political parties, she said.
The National Federation of Doctors has called for a strike on September 24 and 25, scheduling a demonstration in front of the Ministry of Health for the first day of the strike.
Joana Bordalo e Sá explained that the strike aims to improve the salary and working conditions of doctors so that the SNS “becomes more attractive.”
In her opinion, the current Minister of Health “has not had the competence to lead the SNS.”
She added: “That’s why we don’t tire of repeating that we demand a Minister of Health who understands health and serves the SNS as it should be.”
For the president of Fnam, the minister only doesn’t negotiate “seriously because she doesn’t want to,” and that’s why the SNS “is thrown into chaos.”
At the end of last week, Fnam renewed the strike on overtime work in health centers until December 31 and appeals “for the submission of declarations of unavailability to perform supplementary work beyond the annual legal limits.”
