Restore health

Wrong decisions after wrong decisions in health. Marta Temedo was already a tired minister at the time this government was formed. The warning signals came from before the virus and didn’t just go off thanks to the executive branch’s propaganda. The mandates were renewed, it is said that for electoral reasons, political responsibility for this province rests with the Prime Minister. You see, the problem isn’t the person: it’s the politics.

In the field of health, the various indicators are not only getting worse, but there is also a weak comparison with other European countries – an important fact because “the epidemic is not to blame”. In addition to the government reshuffle, which needs to be done, it remains to be seen if this is the right time to do something that is reformative or disruptive to health? With the absolute majority, more money and more professionals and the dire need, the answer is clear: yes. This opportunity means management and vision. This means the ability to reform, courage, restructuring the hospital network, primary care, and training for the professions, among many other fronts. In order to do all this, it is necessary to understand the need to demolish an unregulated law even, to revise the basic health law that is unable to contribute to solutions, to have the ability to effectively decentralize and depoliticize hospital administrations. In addition to the implemented budget, it is necessary to put an end to sub-budgeting practices, creative accounting and the presence of a real Minister of Finance and not the “Minister of Health”.

Among the phrases defending the indefensible, two appeared in these weeks: that “time will come” – this is a summer problem; The second is that the SNS system will be the lifeblood. From the holidays it was immediately rejected by sector entities. Little has been said about the platform. It is known to be disorganized, but the problems run deeper. It does not specify the essence of how it is organized (through specialized networks, by regions), what is the degree of autonomy of the bodies, how to manage human resources, training, access to the profession and position, what is the budget model and funding, what are the mechanisms of financial control. It’s not just bad law because of content, ideological pressure, and lack of focus in administration: it’s another missed opportunity for reform.

To overcome all of this, it takes courage and will, and it takes political and political vision to do so. It is necessary to effectively return to the state of health you deserve.

* Deputy for the liberal initiative in the Council of the Republic