Helena Canhão speaks at the Portugal Health Summit conference about the healthcare crisis in Portugal

Helena Canhão, the coordinator of the CHRC, attended and participated in the panel "The Future of Work in Healthcare: Turning Around an Announced Crisis" at the Portugal Health Summit, where several professionals from different sectors gathered to discuss solutions to address the crisis. There was an unanimous agreement that it's urgent to reform the National Health Service (SNS), value careers, and improve working conditions.

According to Jornal de Negócios, Helena Canhão stated, "We need innovation in SNS management, invest in interdisciplinarity, and improve the efficiency of available resources." She also highlighted the importance of continuous training and a work model that allows for better retention of talent in the public sector.

Among other opinions, Carlos Cortes, President of the Portuguese Medical Doctors Order, stated that "one of the main problems of the National Health Service is the lack of human resources" and that "Portugal is the OECD country where doctors have experienced the largest loss in purchasing power," stressing the need to value careers and improve conditions for healthcare professionals. Ricardo Correia, from the Board of the Nurses' Association, mentioned a shortage of about 15,000 nurses and the limited impact of increased budgets. Hélder Mota Filipe, President of the Portuguese Pharmacists' Order, warned that "there is a shortage not because there are no professionals, but because many are seeking better conditions in other sectors."

However, all participants unanimously agreed that "it is urgent to reform the SNS, value careers, and improve working conditions to prevent the worsening of the crisis. We must all work together."

Complete news article by Jornal de Negócios: https://www.jornaldenegocios.pt/negocios-iniciativas/portugal-health-summit/detalhe/futuro-do-trabalho-na-saude-como-dar-a-volta-a-crise