The Order of Physicians (OM) has identified 11 areas in Portugal experiencing difficulties in retaining doctors, with Madeira being among them. This initiative aims to counteract "piecemeal, temporary, and reactive measures" that have been implemented.
The study, coordinated by president Carlos Cortes, suggests a set of proposals to reverse this trend. Key recommendations include protocols between the Ministry of Health and municipalities to ensure "minimum material conditions," such as access to affordable housing, local tax benefits, and access to cultural and sports facilities. The OM also advocates for support in the professional integration of doctors' spouses.
Furthermore, the document proposes reserved positions for doctors in interior regions for postgraduate training programs and internships, with specific funding. Internship vacancies in low-density population territories should receive differentiated status, with enhanced curricular and remuneration criteria, and favorable tie-breaking rules. The study criticizes the current evaluation model for interior health units for overlooking their specificities and calls for greater management autonomy for local health units in these regions.
