The mayor of Viseu stated that he refuses to transfer health competencies if the ministry does not carry out works in the SMAS building that houses the family health units and the social security headquarters.
“For us to accept health competency, we have to do that [o Governo] To accept the updated protocol “, stressed Fernando Ruas, to reporters, at the end of the general meeting of the municipal executive.
The mayor indicated that he had been contacted by the Minister of Health, Manuel Pizarro, to discuss the transfer of competences, which Fernando Ruas believes “must pass by accepting all the conditions” that are part of the document.
Among the conditions documented, the mayor highlighted the maintenance of the MAS building, which “requires an investment of 9.5 million euros in infrastructure” so that his successors in the Chamber do not inherit a major problem.
The 15-storey building,” which should be equal to about 20 floors, because it is very long, is usually called the “long building” in Viseu and houses the health center with six health units for the family.
A community care unit, Health Centers Assembly Headquarters (ACES) Dão Lafões and Social Security area were also installed in the building.
“This protocol took some time because they went to the building to take a complete X-ray, of what was needed,” noted Fernando Ruas, who, however, has another solution for the building and is going to present it to the Minister.
Fernando Ruas recalled an old proposal, meaning to reduce the building to “a more reasonable height, but before that a building will be built from scratch, new, with all the necessary conditions for a health center”.
“If you also need another one for social security and then demolish it or cut it in half and make apartments there, convert it into housing. I’m sure it would be even an uncomplicated process,” he pleaded.
He added the mayor who “will suggest this option to the minister,” and housing “will even help finance the new building,” which is “a possibility only if there is money in the PRR.” [Plano de Recuperação e Resiliência] Because otherwise it is not accepted.
“If I had no financial constraints or if they told me I could count on PRR, I would ask for a building to house Social Security and another, perhaps next door, for a good health center—that’s what I would do,” he posited.
There is no set date for the meeting with the Minister of Health, but Fernando Roas told reporters that, not accepting the protocol or the possibility of moving forward with his proposal, “the Câmara de Viseu does not accept the transfer of competence”.
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