PS requires explanations to the government about two deaths in Portimão hospital

O secretary-General of the PS, José Luís Carneiro, questioned today, in Vila Nova de Gaia, the Government on the two deaths allegedly due to lack of medical assistance at the Hospital de Portimão, demanding a public explanation from the Prime Minister.

In statements to journalists, José Luís Carneiro considered that Luís Montenegro “has a duty to clarify the circumstances in which the two deaths occurred”, following reports about alleged failures in the emergency care of that hospital unit in the Algarve.

“The Prime Minister has a duty to publicly explain what happened so that we had two deaths due to lack of medical care in that hospital in Portimão,” he said.

The socialist leader said he spoke to the mayor of Portimão, who gave him “very worrying” information about the lack of doctors in the emergency room and the waiting times of users for assistance.

According to José Luís Carneiro, “there are several municipalities and thousands of people who turn daily to the hospital in Portimão”, and he considered that “the clarifications are due not only to the families of the victims, but also to the population served by that unit”.

Asked about the absence of explanations from the Minister of Health, the Secretary-General of the PS said “strange the absence of the Government, considering that political responsibility lies primarily with the Prime Minister”.

“ For me, the Health Minister has long been absent from what the Ministry of Health needs are,” said the Socialist leader, who closed the Gaia Autarchical Convention in the InovGaia Auditorium.

To journalists, José Luís Carneiro also addressed the impasse in negotiations with the Government on housing legislation, reaffirming the willingness of the PS to find a solution that he considers balanced between the interests of the owners and tenants.

The socialist leader accused the government of wanting to liberalize the rental market and favor real estate funds, arguing that “household policy must protect owners, but also young people, middle income families and the elderly”.

Carneiro stated that the PS presented to the Government “a public guarantee proposal to support young people between the ages of 18 and 35 and families up to the sixth income step, complemented by insurance to protect owners against default in the payment of rents and possible property damage”.

The Socialist Secretary-General once again accused the Government of proving “intransigent in two matters: the rent regime and the value of EUR 2,300, which the PS considers incompatible with a moderate income”.

“ For us, an income of 2,300 euros is not a moderate income,” he said.

Despite the differences, José Luís Carneiro ensured that the negotiation process is not closed and expressed willingness to continue working on an alternative solution.

“ We are available to build solutions, be new solutions, be balanced”, he said, blaming the Prime Minister for the coordination and leadership of the governance process.