The Vila Real Chamber was “the only chamber in the north of the country” that refused to transfer competencies in the health field The President said today that it is because of the recent establishment of the Local Health Unit (ULS).
“The municipality of Vila Real is the only one in the north that, until the end of 2023 and in light of the law that was in effect until the end of 2023, did not have delegation of powers in the field of health,” said socialist Rui Santos.
The mayor explained that the municipality refused to assume competencies in the field of health, within the scope of decentralization, because it was already known that a ULS would be established, with its headquarters at the Vila Real Hospital.
The ULS in Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro was created on January 1, as a result of the merger of the Hospital Center of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro and the groups of health centers in Douro Norte, Douro Sul, Alto Tâmega and Barroso, with an area of influence of 21 municipalities.
“Now, considering that as of January we had ULS, we thought it was not worth receiving these health skills,” he said.
The mayor noted that “the law that was in effect until the end of 2023 stipulates that municipalities that are included in the ULS cannot obtain these powers.”
However, if this law is changed, the municipality will analyze whether it is worth it or not and whether it can provide a better service.
“The Vila Real Chamber believes that it is worth having the skills only if we are able to do more and better than the central state,” he stressed.
Regarding the ULS in Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, the mayor warned of what he considered to be a “lack of definition in the law” regarding which entity must summon municipalities to a meeting where a council representative is appointed from among the board members.
The 21 municipalities in the ULS' area of influence do not correspond to a single inter-municipal community, but are spread across the Douro, Alto Tamega and Barroso CIMs.
The ULS Board of Directors maintained the elements that were already in place in CHTMAD, but still had to appoint a representative chosen by the municipalities in this area.
“Within the scope of the ULS, the law stipulates that municipalities meet and are able to nominate someone to the board of directors, but there is a problem, it does not say who sets the date of the meeting, nor does it explain how it will be carried out,” Rui Santos said. “These elections and who actually has the authority to call for The meeting in which these elections are held.”
The Socialist mayor said that clarifications are awaited To be able to appoint someone to represent municipalities on the ULS Board of Directors he pointed to “a gap in terms of how to do this.”
Until the matter is clarified, we are here in a state of uncertainty. I hope that the 21 mayors can get along, that they all come together on the same day at the same time, that there will be motions and votes, and that there will be someone nominated by the council. He referred to the municipalities.
Lusa asked the Ministry of Health for clarification, but has not yet received a response.
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