The maintenance, conservation and equipment of the Health Centers will become a competence of the municipalities. The Government today approved the sixth and final package of diplomas to regulate the decentralization of powers from the Central State to the municipalities and intermunicipal communities, which included the Health dossier, one of the most controversial anticipated.
It was thus confirmed that the municipalities are now responsible for taking care of the units providing primary health care, also gaining «management and execution skills of the logistical support services of the functional units of the Health Center Groupings that integrate the National Health Service».
In the latter case, “all logistical support services related to medical equipment, which remain within the sphere of the central administration” are left out.
The new competences in the health area that will be assumed by the Chambers were decided "after a process of consensus with the National Association of Portuguese Municipalities", stressed the Council of Ministers, in a statement. But not all mayors agree with the transfer of Health Centers to the municipal sphere.
What is certain is that, from the autumn of 2021 onwards, all municipalities in the country will have to accept the new competences. Until then, taking on more responsibilities is voluntary and can be done in any way the municipalities see fit.
In today's Council of Ministers three more diplomas were approved, in addition to the health one. Thus, it was also stipulated that the municipalities are now responsible for "port-sea zones and urban areas for tourist and economic development not affected by port activities", that is, for fishing and recreational ports.
"Municipalities are now exercising powers in the field of the regular functioning of port infrastructures in support of fishing and recreational boating activities, with a view to their economic exploitation, conservation and development, management of personnel, administration of the State's assets. is affection and of port exploration», announced the Government.
On the other hand, the municipalities, inter-municipal communities and metropolitan areas of Lisbon and Porto gain competence in the area of tourist transport of passengers and the public service of regular passenger transport in inland waterways.
The participation of municipalities in the management of nationally protected areas will also be “strengthened”.
"These diplomas conclude the analysis by the Council of Ministers of the sectorial legal diplomas that implement the decentralization process, under the Framework Law for the transfer of competences to local authorities and to intermunicipal entities", concluded the Government .
Before, diplomas had already been approved in the most diverse areas, in five different Councils of Ministers, related to decentralization.
Last Thursday, the Education and Culture, with the transfer of all schools, including secondary ones, to the municipalities.
In the previous weeks, diplomas were approved relating to the most diverse areas, from the justice and proximity policing à animal health and food safetypassing through roads and public real estate assets and by competences in terms of parking and fines for minor infractions.
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