Jamila Madeira, 48 years old, economist, is a socialist deputy, a role she has performed five times before. She was Deputy Secretary of State and Health in the second Government of António Costa. Previously, from 2004 to 2009, she was an MEP. Between 2000 and 2004, she was general secretary of Socialist Youth. She is once again head of the PS list for next Sunday's Legislative Elections, by the circle of Faro.
Now that the election campaign is underway, the Sul Informação is publishing interviews with the list leaders of the 14 parties or coalitions that are running for the Legislatures on March 10th.
The same questions were sent, in a timely manner, to all 14 first candidates, covering the main themes in focus in the Algarve.
Interviews are published as responses reach our newsroom.
Sul Informação – What are the priorities of your political force in the next legislature for the Algarve?
Jamila Madeira – Our concerns are the biggest concerns of the Algarve and these are health, drought and housing. Three key elements of our program that we always had on the agenda.
SI – What are the expectations and objectives of your political force in relation to these Legislative Elections? What remains to be done in the Algarve?
JM – Renewing the trust of the Algarve in the PS is my goal. I believe there is a lot left to be done in the Algarve. I don't give up on my land because this is where I belong, I'm from here, this is where my life is and where I want to continue to be.
We have a lot of ambition and this means we always strive for more and better and naturally this made me accept the invitation to head the PS list for the Algarve. I believe that we have taken many strong concrete steps in changing our region for the better, even taking into account that this legislature was abruptly interrupted.
The Algarve knows that the big changes have always been the achievement of the PS and, therefore, they know that the Hospital do Barlavento, Via do Infante, the highway to the Algarve, the electrification of the Lisbon-Faro and now Lagos-VRSA, the Odelouca dam, the Public Conservatory of the South, the Faculty of Medicine, etc., were achievements now linked to our history, but which were made reality by the PS.
SI – Drought and lack of water is a pressing issue in the Algarve. What solutions do you advocate, in the short term, knowing that the water currently available only arrives until August? And in the medium and long term?
JM – We have no doubt that water is a critical issue for our region and we have highlighted this since early on.
That's why we built a Water Efficiency Plan and the Government guaranteed 237 million euros.
This money will be used to build the Desalination Plant, which guarantees 1/3 of human consumption, capture water in Pomarão and enable its expansion to Alqueva and Alqueva-Santa Clara-Bravura, reduce water losses in the urban and agricultural circuit and reuse wastewater, as well as carrying out the feasibility study of the Foupana Dam, foreseen in OE 2024.
Solving the lack of water is, therefore, our purpose and the works that achieve this are progressing and cannot stop.
SI – Health is a very deficient sector in the Algarve and in the country. What measures do you recommend to solve health problems in the Algarve? SI – What about the Algarve Central Hospital? What should be done?
JM – Health was and continues to be our first priority. Fulfilling the commitment of the new Hospital Central do Algarve, now that it has an approved care profile, is within our reach. This purpose cannot stop.
We want to continue the investment policy in hospitals, which in this legislature had around 28 million euros of investment in technological equipment, differentiated clinical equipment in advanced responses to support research and assistance response in the region.
In recent years, we have installed, equipped and operated a new Hospital das Terras do Infante, in Lagos, which has restored surgical capacity with two Operating Rooms. This hospital has already tripled the local demand for consultations and, with it, we have made it possible to recover from waiting in ophthalmology surgeries in the region.
We captured, equipped and opened new medical specialties for the region, which were previously non-existent: Pediatric surgery; Interventional neuroradiology (which allowed us to increase the level A response in stroke thrombectomy); Vascular surgery; hiring for Medically Assisted Procreation; Nuclear medicine.
We have over 500 professionals, including 75 doctors and the rest nurses and senior diagnostic and therapeutic technicians.
We promoted the capture of 60 clinical trials in conjunction with Universities. 180 interns were hired and, in integration for the specialties/year, we expanded up to 90 to accommodate students trained in the Integrated Master's of Medicine at UAlg;
In this framework of evolution, full compliance with SIADAP was also ensured for career progression and remuneration update for all professionals, as our professionals are our greatest added value and to whom we thank the commitment and dedication so that the healthcare offer in the Algarve is increasingly robust for everyone, regardless of their economic condition.
In terms of proximity care, we have ongoing work to complete the re-equipment and construction of new primary health care buildings, examples of which are Albufeira, Faro, Lagos, Loulé, Monchique, Olhão, São Brás de Alportel, Tavira, Vila Real de Santo António.
These are investments of around 50 million euros, guaranteed by the Recovery and Resilience Plan, as well as the relevant new coordination with each municipality to guarantee quality in health promotion and disease prevention, with proximity in responding to people and for an effective expected relief in emergencies, along with the feasibility of an Oncology Reference Center, already with approved community funds.
We want to continue attracting more health professionals, with the aim of ensuring a family health team for everyone in the Algarve and expanding the home hospitalization program, as well as community mental health teams, for adults and children, throughout the region.
We also intend to ensure an increase in the number of intensive rehabilitation beds at the Center for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of the South and an increase in the number of continued care beds in the Algarve.
We have reinforced the critical capacity of the Laura Aires Regional Laboratory and we want it to continue to stand out as a regional and national reference unit.
SI – The Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve and the Regional Health Administration joined, from January 1st, into a single body, the Algarve Local Health Unit. What do you think of this change and what expectations do you have for your future?
JM – It will be a great challenge, so, like all challenges and reforms, I hope it goes well. It represents integration from the most basic care to the most sophisticated hospital care. It's a big challenge.
SI – The previous Government, now only in management, transformed the Regional Coordination and Development Commissions into Public Institutes, adding new functions (such as Agriculture and Fisheries, as well as Culture). What do you think of this change and what expectations do you have for your future? Is this a first step towards Regionalization?
JM – All paths that lead to strengthening regional power are, in my opinion, welcome. I believe that the democratic reinforcement of the CCDR will give it more strength to make these changes successful.
As a regionalist, I will do everything to ensure that the options are the right ones.
Naturally, I want culture, agriculture and fisheries, education, the social sector, etc. and other decisions in other critical sectors are taken in the region. Not as a customer service desk, but with de facto power to decide on the region's destinations and what we want for our future.
SI – What solutions do you recommend for tolls on Via do Infante? SI – And for the completion of works on the EN125, from Olhão to Vila Real de Santo António? SI – One of the biggest problems in the Algarve is mobility. Work is being carried out to electrify the Algarve Line, the creation of the Metrobus is expected and there is talk of a possible TGV connection between Faro and Huelva/Seville. What is your opinion on these issues and what solutions do you advocate?
JM – In a region that has a weak integrated mobility logic, ending tolls on Via do Infante is today one of the PS's main measures.
Between 2015 and 2024, the Socialist Party reduced the value of tolls by 60%.
This time, we have now made a commitment to immediately eliminate toll collection on the A22, as well as carrying out the rehabilitation works on the EN125, solving the litigation problems that we inherited from the right, to ensure the missing connections and variants, namely the Olhão bypass and the São Brás de Alportel connection, as well as the requalification of the EN125 until the entrance to Sagres.
But we continue to face the challenges and the electrification of the Algarve Railway Line is underway, from VRSA to Lagos, which will change the approach to railways in the region.
We also have the MetroBus connection project between Faro, Loulé and Olhão, with connection to the University and Airport, very relevant to pursue the logic of sustainable mobility.
In this sense, our purpose is to continue with the policy of reducing the cost of public transport, financing the purchase of passes at bus stations and at CP, as well as evolving towards the intermodal pass.
The international rail connection is critical, especially in a context of sustainable mobility measures, so the Lisbon-Faro-Seville will always be defended by the PS as an investment in the future for the country and the EU.
Another project that will change the mobility strategy of Barrocal and Serra is the launch and completion of the construction work on the new Alcoutim-San Lucar International Bridge.
SI – The president of the Algarve Tourism Region complained that the budget of this organization is short and has not been increased for many years. What do you recommend for this sector in the Algarve region?
JM – I am a regionalist, I believe in regionalization, which is why I believe that the largest tourism region in the country has its own role in this context and will naturally be reinforced by those who defend it.
I do not believe that the issue of government organization should be seen in a somewhat simplistic way. I also remember that there were even those who fancied the installation of a State Secretariat for Tourism in the Algarve and I didn't see that this had been an added value.
What has to be evaluated is the real power of this structure and not just a title.
SI – In the case of more divisive issues, will you vote for the AR according to your conviction, even if it goes against your party's guidelines?
JM – I have always found space for my convictions within the PS and I believe that the work is to ensure that the PS always understands the demands and specificities of a particular and unique region like the Algarve, so that it is always able to embrace them.
And, as with everything, the path is made by walking. Sometimes easier, sometimes more difficult.
SI – Do you consider that it would be useful to change the electoral law, to create single-member and partial constituencies and a national compensation circle, and thus bring deputies closer to citizens? Why or why not?
JM – Bringing elected officials closer to voters has always been my attitude. I will try to pursue this goal, but never in a simplistic way, as I consider that this topic does not have an easy or linear answer.
SI – Do you want to add any more topics or questions?
JM – Yes, I believe that diversifying the Algarve's economy is critical to retaining qualified professionals who want to stay here.
To pave the way for an increasingly stronger economy, we will continue to focus on diversifying the economy and combating seasonality, using the 300 million euro fund that the PS government obtained for the Algarve.
Support innovation and the technological industry, continue to encourage the expansion of projects such as the Technological Campus of the University of Algarve, the Clinical Simulation Center, the Celerator do Autódromo and the Algarve Biomedical Center, which are examples of how we can create jobs, grow and change the face of our human resources and business and economic paradigm.
And, of course, housing, because affordable housing for those who want to live and work here is essential. Affordable housing for all.
The Algarve was the first region to sign Local Housing Strategies in all municipalities, with the identification of more than 6000 Housing needs.
We develop strategies to promote housing for everyone in need, whether young people, health professionals, teachers, security forces or others, through affordable rental, public leasing, income support or subletting to families or even in partnership with the private. They are undergoing rapid development.
We are aware that only with a strong public housing stock is it possible to respond to the problems and housing needs of the middle class.
The right thinks that the market solves housing problems. But we know this is not true. Consider this problem in other countries, where it is clearly similar.
Only with strong public investment, from the Government and local authorities, will we provide homes for people at affordable costs. For people who work and live off their salary.
This also highlights the importance of continuing the policy of construction and rehabilitation of new residences for students and also access to these by non-scholarship students.
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