The Independent Union of Allied Nurses (SITEU) said Friday it is seeing the appointment of Manuel Pizarro as health minister, who succeeds Marta Temedo, “with some concern, but in line with expectations”.
In a statement sent to Lusa, SITEU President Jorit Pimentel noted that Pizarro “was already in the ministry as Assistant Secretary of State for Health in a socialist government” and that he “did not view nursing professionals with due appreciation”.
“There has even been a setback in the profession regarding professions and their recognition,” the SITEU president criticized.
However, Jorit Pimentel sees “this is a golden opportunity for the Minister of Health to look at the problems of nurses in a different, more consistent and committed way, and to transfer solutions from paper to practice.”
On Friday, the Prime Minister, Antonio Costa, proposed to the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the appointment of the European Parliamentary Socialist Manuel Pizarro to the post of Minister of Health, replacing Marta Temedo.
Manuel Pizarro, a specialist in internal medicine, was Secretary of State for Health in the Socialist CEOs led by Jose Socrates, between 2008 and 2011. After being appointed as the new health minister in the third government led by Antonio Costa, he took over the position on Saturday, succeeding Marta Temedo, who resigned in August 30.
“Writer. Analyst. Avid travel maven. Devoted twitter guru. Unapologetic pop culture expert. General zombie enthusiast.”
