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Operation rooms closed, appointments cancelled as Portugal's doctors strike

Xinhua,May 08, 2018 Adjust font size:

LISBON, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Operating rooms in many of Portugal's main hospitals were closed on Tuesday and consultations cancelled as a three-day strike by medical professionals began.

The strike was called by the Independent Doctors Union (SIM) and the National Federation of Doctors (FNAM).

SIM secretary general Jorge Paulo Roque da Cunha told journalists in Lisbon it was a strike "in defense of the national health service" and to demonstrate "deep discontent among doctors".

Specifically, the unions want a reduction in overtime work from 200 hours per year to 150; a gradual reduction to 12 hours emergency work per week; and a gradual reduction of registrar lists for family doctors to 1,500 from the current 1,900.

Doctors also have grievances related to changes in professional recognition structures and pay grades, and a general culture that leads to burnout and shortened careers.

In the current climate, doctors are said to be tired, stressed and overworked, which compromises patient care.

The strike began at midnight on Monday. According to SIM, all operating rooms at the Sao Jose and Santa Maria hospitals in Lisbon, the Covoes hospital in Coimbra, and the Faro and Portimao hospitals in the Algarve region were closed on Tuesday.

Just one of 11 operating rooms were open at the Sao Joao hospital in Matosinhos, Porto, with hospitals throughout the country functioning at a fraction of their capacity and many performing emergency work only.

Portuguese health minister Adalberto Campos Fernandes said Monday that he respected the unions and understood their reasons for striking, but the government couldn't do everything at once.

FNAM President Joao Proenca said he found such comments patronizing. "It's pure political cynicism," said Proenca, arguing the minister "does nothing (to help) because objectively he does not want to."

Doctors also went on strike twice in 2017, with their calls for reform seemingly ignored by the government.

Discontent in the medical profession is echoed in other sectors. Workers and union leaders are frustrated that the government is failing to unwind austerity policies and implement social reform. Enditem

 

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