Raimundo alleges that the Government, Chega, PS, and IL are planning to "disassemble" the SNS.
The General Secretary of the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP), Jerónimo de Sousa, has accused a group of five political parties or actors, known as the "quintet of regression," of being responsible for the dismantling of Portugal's National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde, SNS).
In a recent statement, de Sousa highlighted the ongoing systematic weakening of the SNS, which he attributed to policies promoting funding cuts, increased privatization and outsourcing of health services, reduced access to free and universal healthcare, and deteriorating working conditions and staffing levels in public health institutions. These factors, he argued, lead to longer waiting times and a decline in the quality of care.
The "quintet of regression" typically includes the main right-wing and center-right parties such as the Social Democrats (PSD), the Social and Democratic Center Party (CDS-PP), and other allied forces. The PCP's accusation is part of a broader political stance defending public services and opposing neoliberal reforms.
De Sousa emphasized that the SNS, established as a universal and free health system, is under threat due to austerity measures and privatization efforts. He stated that this group has shifted health services towards a market-oriented model that privileges private interests over public welfare.
However, it's important to note that de Sousa did not suggest changing the minister as a solution to the issues with the SNS. He also did not refer to creating conditions for retaining healthcare staff in this particular statement.
Moreover, de Sousa did not specify any new incidents or deaths related to the SNS in his recent statement. But he did refer to the death of two babies from two pregnant women who had to resort to hospital emergency care, stating that no deaths are needed for political responsibility to happen.
De Sousa's statement comes at a time when the government is under increasing pressure to address the challenges facing the SNS. The communist stressed that there is a limit to things and it has been reached. He argued that the government does not create conditions for retaining healthcare staff because it is interested in the dismantlement of the SNS.
In essence, the PCP General Secretary has explicitly blamed this group of political forces for policies that, in his view, are actively dismantling the National Health Service in Portugal by eroding its funding, accessibility, and quality, thereby threatening one of the country’s most important public institutions.
- The accusation by the PCP's General Secretary, Jerónimo de Sousa, extends beyond the SNS, as he critics neoliberal reforms in areas like health-and-wellness, science, and general-news, emphasizing their potential impact on the public's health and well-being.
- De Sousa's critique of this "quintet of regression" has also reached into the political realm, linking their policies to the rise in crime-and-justice issues, suggesting a correlation between austerity measures, privatization, and the deterioration of socio-economic conditions.
- In the realm of medical-conditions and social justice, de Sousa's statements have triggered discussions on shifting political priorities, with some advocating for more progressive policies that support universal access to healthcare and combat social inequalities to promote overall community well-being.
