A Minister of Health, Ana Paula Martinssat down this Monday at the table to receive veterinarians, physiotherapists, biologists and psychologists, in another round of meetingsand was praised for her willingness to negotiate.
For the Order of Psychologists, the greatest urgency is to increase the number of professionals. Of the more than 25,000 registered, only 1,000 are in the National Health Service (SNS). The deadlines set by the previous Government to hire more fell short and the promise is now on this side
“The guarantees given are that there is a commitment that it is necessary to increase the number of psychologists in the SNS, particularly in health centers”, stated the President of the Order of Psychologists, Francisco Miranda Rodrigues.
For the Order of Veterinarians, an important step would be to hire more professionals and value the profession. The order leaves an appeal to the Government to reduce VAT on veterinary medicine services.
“We are the only medicine negatively discriminated against in tax terms”, said the President of the Veterinary Association, Pedro Fabrica.
The list of priorities presented by the Order of Physiotherapists includes resolving users’ problems in accessing physiotherapy care. On the side of the Order of Biologists, the main objective is to enhance careers.
Positive balance
In general, both these orders and those heard last week provided a positive assessment of the meetings and praised the Government’s willingness to negotiate.
More meetings are planned for the coming months.
