Local municipal heads have unanimously approved a motion declaring that they are “deeply concerned” by reports of the “possible abolition of the Algarve Regional Delegation of the National Institute of Medical Emergencies (INEM)”, and call on the Government to “clarify, as a matter of urgency, clearly and comprehensively, the scope of the measures being prepared”, demanding “maximum transparency, institutional dialogue, and the involvement of local authorities in the process”.
At issue are reports pointing to a potential reorganisation of INEM services, including the possible closure of its Algarve delegation, the reconfiguration of the Emergency Patient Guidance Centres (CODU), structural changes within the National Health Service (SNS), and a reorganisation of the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC).
“In view of these possible scenarios, with potential impacts on regional response capacity and operational coordination in the Algarve, AMAL (The Algarve Intermunicipal Community) unanimously approved a motion expressing deep concern and apprehension, and requesting immediate and detailed clarification from the Government,” said the body representing the Algarve’s 16 municipal councils.
“The Intermunicipal Community believes that the information made public raises well-founded doubts about substantial changes to organisational structures, responsibilities, territorial scale and operating models, which could directly affect emergency response and access to healthcare for the population of the Algarve,” the motion states.
Accordingly, Algarve municipalities are formally requesting “clear information from (...) the Prime Minister, the Minister of Health and the Minister of Internal Administration, on the scope, rationale, timetable, objectives and operational impacts of the planned reforms”.
While making “an unequivocal defence of strengthening the medical emergency model, the NHS and civil protection in the region”, AMAL sets out four key demands should any form of reorganisation go ahead.
The first is that it must respect and consolidate investments already made, notably the Regional Command for Emergency and Civil Protection and the Algarve Regional Delegation of INEM.
The remaining demands include ensuring the continuity and improvement of emergency response levels, strengthening the regional deployment capacity, in particular by hosting the Special Civil Protection Force (FEPC), and guaranteeing that the Algarve “does not lose operational capacity or quality of care”.
AMAL also reiterated “the need for information and monitoring of the tender process for the construction of the new Algarve Central Hospital”, arguing that the Government’s commitment to this project “cannot be downgraded or postponed at a time of profound reforms in the health sector”.
Any change “to the structure of the SNS, INEM, and the Civil Protection System will have a direct impact on public safety and confidence, especially in a region of outstanding tourist importance”, the organisation warns.
AMAL and its member municipalities stress that the Algarve “has demographic and seasonal specificities that require a robust and appropriately scaled emergency system, in a territory with high international media exposure”, while also noting that the region has faced “decades of structural shortcomings in health services, shortages of human resources and constraints on hospital capacity”.
In light of this reality, the statement concludes that “any reorganisation must not only safeguard but actively strengthen existing care capacity”.
Source: AMAL
