In the extraordinary session held on Wednesday, to discuss the health situation in that municipality located north of the Leiria region, the establishment of the Universal Service Fund and the final closure of the health annexes in Graça and Villa Vacaya, the Municipal Council unanimously approved, the resolution signed by all parties (PSD, PS and CDS-PP ) The same seats in this body.
Through the document presented at the meeting held in Villa Vacaya, it was emphasized that “the establishment of the Universal Service Fund must be based on the search for a solution that does not harm the municipality and health workers, but takes into account the real needs and legitimate rights of the entire population.”
The elected officials defended maintaining health facilities in the two dioceses, justifying this with professional, social and political reasons.
According to the decision, “the health center currently possesses sufficient human resources to maintain the centers.” [extensões]In addition, there is “a doctor available to continue providing this service.”
On the other hand, they recalled that “the residents of the two parishes are very elderly,” also highlighting their “great financial weakness, with weak reforms and a lot of spending on medicine,” as well as the lack, for example, of a public transportation network.
Ensuring that “the Municipal Council supports the establishment of the USF, it supports the presence of a multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses and administrative staff, recognizing that its establishment is beneficial for the purposes of professional arrangements, supplements and pay incentives for doctors, nurses and administrative staff”. “Health care professionals. Health,” the resolution even acknowledges that “the Universal Service Fund could present itself as an incentive to recruit and retain these professionals.”
However, the decision emphasizes that there is nothing in the legal system for the organization and work of the Universal Service Forces that “imposes its constitution at the expense of the closure of health facilities.”
The Municipal Council called for the necessity “in the action plan and commitment to aid (…) of the future and final constitution of the USF, to keep the extensions open, either through the USF itself, or through the Health Centre, to continue to provide and to guarantee to the parishioners of Villa Vacaya and Graça, on a weekly basis, In its current form – twice a week – Proximity and Family Health Policy.
“It further recommends that the executive authority formally express to the doctors, nurses and staff of the health center the support that can be granted – accommodation, transportation and others deemed necessary – on the best conditions agreed upon between the municipality, the Ministry of Health and/or their entities.”
Municipal Council President Raul Garcia told Lusa that what emerged from the session “was a unanimous and shared position of the three political forces represented” in this body, noting that about a hundred people attended, including those elected from the chamber and the association, in the most attended meetings he chaired.
According to Raul Garcia, “No one opposes the establishment of the Comprehensive Services Fund, but no one wants to lose the health services that they already enjoy,” referring to the health extensions and the health center’s working hours (08:00 to 20:00:08:00 to 20 :00:00 on weekdays).
The president of the municipal assembly, who is also a doctor in Pedrogão Grande, also considered the proposed support of the chamber by elected officials important to attract new professionals to the municipality.
The decision will be sent to the CEO of the Pinhal Interior Norte Health Center Group and to the Coordinator of the Pedrógão Grande Health Center.
Emily Brontë is a journalist and feature writer specialising in culture, entertainment, literature, and current affairs. She is dedicated to producing clear, accurate reporting that helps readers stay informed about developments in the UK and around the world.
