The PSD/Algarve appealed this Tuesday to the Minister of Health Paulo Macedo "to take a concrete position" on the withdrawal of the INEM's Algarve Helicopter, guaranteeing the permanence of this equipment in the region. The Algarvian social democrats refuse "outright" to advance the decision of the National Institute of Medical Emergency to relocate the helicopter it had in the Algarve to Alentejo and demand that the member of Government clarify the matter and put "an end" on this matter.
“This is a process that has been taking too long and is in danger of becoming a dark episode for the most touristic region in Portugal”, they considered. «INEM, namely through its President Miguel Soares de Oliveira, has triggered a process of liquidation of this structure in the Algarve, with decisions that are not understandable and that are rejected by the large majority of the Algarve and its representative structures», accused the PSD /Algarve, in a statement sent to the newsrooms.
«In the logic of efficiency gains and cost reduction, we all understand that measures to contain expenditure are necessary. What we do not understand, because it escapes any logic, is the relocation of the INEM Helicopter from Algarve to Alentejo when the prevalence of occurrences in the Algarve is 87 percent and 11 percent in Alentejo. The fact that the Helicopter is located in the Alentejo will not change this ratio, which will make the device have to travel to this region and then proceed to the Central and Northern Hospitals of the country, thus increasing the costs associated with the transport of patients”, he defended.
“Add to this issue the fact that the Kamov Helicopter (which apparently will replace the other device) is not the most suitable for quick and agile rescue operations, which are essential factors for a good execution of the interventions”, add the Social Democrats.
Considering that the process is "difficult to understand", the PSD/Algarve raised the question again: "If the state has air capacity (there are more agile and versatile helicopters – PUMA – stopped) because it remains hostage to astronomical hires to respond to its needs?”
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