How is women’s health in Portugal and what needs to be done to improve it?

Ana Timoteo, MD, of the Portuguese Society of Cardiology, warns

“The most important thing for us is the preservation of reproductive health rights, that is, access to contraceptives, access to safe abortion, maternity protection and birth promotion,” advocates Fatima Palma, of the Portuguese Contraceptive Association

“In breast cancer, the most important challenges are investing in prevention, informing women of the factors that can protect them from developing cancer, and knowing that when we talk about tumors that are diagnosed early, the probability of cure is over 90%,” emphasizes Gabriella. Souza, of the Portuguese Society of Senology

“Rheumatic diseases in women are very common, they cause disability, cause pain and lower quality of life, therefore, we have to promote healthier lives, more exercise and reduce obesity,” explains Helena Kanhao, of the Portuguese Society of Rheumatology.

“The main challenge is to have effective and competent policies to reduce the inequalities that kill,” assures Maria de Belém Rosera, former Minister of Health and Chair of the Working Group “Women’s Health in Portugal”.

“During the pandemic, the group of women was one of the groups in which there was a higher prevalence of psychological suffering and mental illness. It is, in fact, a particularly vulnerable group,” recalls María João Heitor, of the Portuguese Association of Psychiatry and Mental Health.

“The challenges center around promoting equal pay – this has an impact on health – ensuring all women have the same access to care across the country and ensuring that women’s rights are always upheld,” says Vera Perez da Silva, of the Portuguese Society of General and Family Medicine.