Portuguese Communist Party Accuses Government of Dismantling National Health Service

The Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) has accused the government of accelerating the dismantling of the National Health Service (SNS) by outsourcing essential services to private entities. PCP Secretary-General Paulo Raimundo expressed his concern during a press conference at Garcia de Orta Hospital in Setúbal, stating that the government’s approach represents a deliberate shift away from public healthcare. Raimundo criticized the government’s lack of investment in infrastructure and its failure to address critical staffing shortages in the SNS. He highlighted the precarious situation in Setúbal, where residents face challenges accessing primary care and essential services. Raimundo also criticized the government’s reliance on private healthcare, arguing that it prioritizes profit over public well-being.