An opinion piece published in Funchal Notícias questions former President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa's praise for the National Health Service (SNS) and the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM).
According to the author, these compliments sound like a joke when compared to the reality faced by ordinary citizens, marked by long waits, overloaded emergency rooms, and exhausted teams. The criticism points out that the Portuguese health system, despite having dedicated professionals, seems to function exemplarily only when important figures are attended to, contrasting with a "clinical lottery" for the common citizen.
The text suggests that recognition and applause replace the necessary investment in resources, personnel, and service reorganization. The "resilience" and "dedication" of professionals are praised instead of addressing structural problems, which, for the author, demonstrates a failure in planning and the capacity of political power. The article concludes that the country has become accustomed to considering extraordinary what should be normal in public healthcare.
