The Association of Commerce and Services of the Algarve Region (ACRAL) lamented "the perpetual postponement of the construction of the Central Hospital of the Algarve" and contested "the intention of the current Government to send this file to the next legislature".
On a visit to the region, last Monday, the Secretary of State for Health Manuel Delgado admitted that the construction of a new hospital in the Algarve «is in a second line of priorities», but that it was not «dropped».
According to the member of the Government, "a working group may be created to evaluate this project in 2017 or 2018, or possibly in the next legislature". In other words, there does not seem to be much hurry on the part of the Government to move forward with the new hospital, even because "the country's financial conditions do not allow it".
ACRAL disagrees and demands more speed in the process. «The new hospital is crucial for the sustainability of tourism in the Algarve: safety, including health services, is one of the pillars of the destination's competitiveness – without effective health services, the image deteriorates, the demand”, considers the president of ACRAL Álvaro Viegas.
The association leader recalled the contribution of tourism in the Algarve to Portuguese exports, which «is superior to that of Autoeuropa», something that «in itself amply justifies this investment, so often promised and systematically postponed».
“A new hospital, modern, well equipped, with good working conditions. It would make it much easier to keep professionals in the region and in the public service, as well as helping to bring professionals from other parts of the country to the Algarve», believes Álvaro Viegas.
ACRAL recalls that the construction of this hospital "has been identified as a priority since at least 2006" and that in 2008 the foundation stone of infrastructure was even laid by "a prime minister of Portugal", the socialist José Sócrates.
Comments