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The PCP of Viana do Castelo today pointed to the Alto Minho Local Health Unit (ULSAM) as a “good example” in the provision of primary health care, although “fundamental problems” derived from “national priorities” persist.
“We can say that it is a good example at the national level. We would be much better off if the reality of primary health care were like this, ”said the head of the PCP’s Regional Organization of Viana do Castelo (DORVIC).
Gonçalo Oliveira, who was speaking with journalists at the door of the Santa Luzia hospital, in Viana do Castelo, at the end of a meeting with the ULSAM administration, pointed out the hiring of health professionals as one of the examples of the “ problems ”that go beyond reality. Alto Minho.
“A much stronger commitment is needed by the National Health Service (SNS), which is not only to praise health professionals, applaud, but to dedicate effective funds to hire professionals for the SNS, not in an extraordinary way, but with effective links to reinforce services that must also be equipped with the necessary equipment ”, he emphasized.
Viana do Castelo Hospital with 16 more nurses and 400 thousand euros of material
The official said that of these “limitations”, ULSAM, “in some aspects”, has been working “against the current.”
“That must be appreciated and, of course, it gives us some peace of mind,” he said after the meeting with the ULSAM administration held within the scope of the national action that the party must carry out, “Combat covid-19, catch up, guarantee access to medical care ”.
“Here is a message of serenity that was given by the board of directors, who are taking all measures in a timely manner. Of course, then there are fundamental problems that go beyond the reality of Alto Minho and that have to do with national priorities ”, he reinforced.
According to Gonçalo Oliveira, “ULSAM has fulfilled its function, in practice, taking concrete measures”.
“In some cases, there are situations that are noteworthy. In this extremely complicated pandemic context, it managed to increase the number of home visits and have a range of priority areas that never stopped having face-to-face assistance, contrary to what happened in other health units ”.
ULSAM “managed to safeguard even the rights of workers, such as enjoyment so that they are minimally rested and prepared for this second wave,” a situation that he said does not occur throughout the country.
“A striking example is that of users without a family doctor, who here is an almost residual problem, when this is not the national trend,” he said.
“They are already moving forward with the reopening of the health extensions starting next week. There are communication difficulties in health centers that are the result of obsolete telephone exchanges, lack of clinical secretarial staff, among others. Action is already being taken here. A new telephone exchange is already in the experimental phase. They are also advanced, ”he said.
The PCP has a national action underway that is combined with the objective of creating a national emergency plan aimed at strengthening the National Health Service with more funding, more professionals, and better equipment, especially with regard to care activities. primary health. respect.
Already the councilor of the CDU in the Chamber of Viana do Castelo, Cláudia Marinho, who also participated in the meeting, highlighted “the work of good practices developed for a long time”, despite the “immense difficulties” she faces, defending the The need to change the financing model of this structure, which gives the region a capitation below the national average.
“They have a very well assembled structure and end up having less difficulties, although they exist,” said the councilor, pointing out as an example the “fixation” of professionals in some specialties, such as dermatology.
Regarding the fight against the pandemic, Cláudia Marinho said that during the first wave ULSAM recognized that “it was less prepared, both in human and material resources”, and that, at this moment, the unit “feels more comfortable, without neglecting ”A possible worsening of the epidemiological situation.
“Centers for detecting the disease have been decentralized throughout Alto Minho, which is not the case in other parts of the country,” he said.
ULSAM is made up of the hospitals of Santa Luzia, in Viana do Castelo, and Conde de Bertiandos, in Ponte de Lima. It also includes 12 health centers, a public health unit and two for convalescents, and serves a resident population of more than 244,000 people in the 10 municipalities of the Viana do Castelo district, and some neighboring towns of the Braga district.
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