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A Ministra da Saúde, Ana Paula Martins, afirmou que o plano de inverno do SNS em Portugal está a funcionar bem. Há bons resultados na vacinação contra a gripe e COVID-19. Embora haja muita procura nos hospitais, tenta-se melhorar com novas estratégias , como exames médicos em casas de repouso e cooperação com outras organizações.
Translation
The Minister of Health, Ana Paula Martins, stated that the winter plan of the National Health Service (SNS) in Portugal is working well. There are positive results in the vaccination efforts against the flu and COVID-19. Although there is high demand in hospitals, improvements are being sought through new strategies, such as conducting medical check-ups in care homes and collaboration with other organisations.
Exercise: Text comprehension
Question 1: What did Ana Paula Martins say about the winter health plan in Portugal?
She said the winter health plan is working well.
Question 2: What are some strategies mentioned to improve the hospital situation?
Some strategies include medical check-ups in nursing homes and cooperation with other organizations.
Exercise: Vocabulary
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▌15/01/2025
In response to ongoing concerns about the Portuguese National Health System's (SNS) winter plan, Health Minister Ana Paula Martins has firmly rejected the notion that the initiatives are failing. Speaking during an event in Lisbon, the minister reiterated that the plan, devised by family health units, adheres to clear contingency measures which are being effectively followed.
The minister acknowledged the critical role of this initiative, highlighting successful vaccination coverage against both influenza and COVID-19 as pivotal components of the plan. Innovations, such as facilitating medical tests and exams directly from care homes, have also been introduced, preventing elderly patients from enduring long waits at health centres and hospitals.
Despite improvements in some facets, the overwhelming demand at hospital emergency units remains a pressing issue. The minister attributed this partly to the presence of patients who could be better served by ongoing care networks rather than hospital settings. Efforts are underway to address this misallocation, with collaboration from other ministries and support from the Recovery and Resilience Plan.
Portuguese Health Minister Defends Winter Health Plan (Illustration)
Across the nation, the winter plan’s effectiveness has varied. While some hospital emergency units have reported continued pressure, with wait times stretching beyond clinical recommendations, other regions have noted improvements. In Lisbon, the Hospital Beatriz Ângelo experienced particularly long wait times earlier this week, while the situation was more controlled in other hospitals like Sao Francisco Xavier and Amadora-Sintra, where waits have not exceeded two hours on average. Hospitals in the north, such as São João in Porto, have maintained recommended waiting periods.
Despite these challenges, experts caution that the situation could deteriorate once the flu peak season approaches. Vaccination remains a key strategy in curbing the spread of infections, with efforts continuing since late September through local pharmacies and health units.
Addressing these mounting concerns, Ana Paula Martins stressed that while winter is invariably challenging for health services globally, the SNS is diligently seeking solutions. She refrained from assessing the specifics of emergency service management, noting that it remains the purview of hospital clinical directors to evaluate and adapt service operations.
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