The executive director of the National Health Service (SNS) revealed today that waiting lists have been increasing in the public service because demand has grown by more than 20%, while production has risen between 8% and 10%.
"Demand has increased extremely significantly", said Fernando Araújo, who was speaking at the Parliamentary Health Commission, where he is being heard today, at the request of the PCP and Chega, about the lack of professionals, the Government's program to ensure the provision of services, the valuation of professionals and on the functioning of the SNS Executive Board itself.
The official underlined the efforts of health professionals, saying that they "have made a huge effort that has allowed them to increase production", exemplifying with data referring to January of this year, which indicate that there has been an increase in hospital medical consultations by 8% and by 15% surgeries, when compared with the values of January last year.
According to Fernando Araújo, in January there were 1.226.000 hospital consultations and 71.682 surgeries, a “ever record” in production.
Recognizing that "it is not enough", the official added: "It means that we have to advance in a profound way in the autonomy of decisions, with responsibility and accountability".
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