The movement "Valorizar Quem Cuida" (Value Those Who Care), which brings together oncology patients, family members and friends in Portalegre, is preparing new protest actions in defense of the Oncology Service at Hospital Doutor José Maria Grande. At the meeting on Tuesday, September 8, held at Praça da República, the group defined a strategy to continue demanding the maintenance of consultations provided by oncologist Rui Dinis with the regularity that, according to participants, has been essential for patients monitored at the hospital.
The first action will be the sending of an exhibition to a wide range of officials and institutions, including municipalities, municipal assemblies of the district, Intermunicipal Community of Alto Alentejo, deputies elected for Portalegre, Local Health Unit of Alto Alentejo, Ministry of Health, Portuguese League Against Cancer and Presidency of the Republic. The document aims to draw attention to the risks that the movement considers to be associated with the reorganization being prepared for the Oncology Service.
Participants are particularly concerned about the possibility of a reduction in oncologist Rui Dinis's activity at Portalegre Hospital, in an inland region where difficulties persist in attracting and retaining healthcare professionals. A petition in defense of the oncology response in Portalegre has already exceeded 2,700 signatures and was sent to the Assembly of the Republic. The movement emphasizes that many users from the interior already face difficulties accessing exams and treatments, being forced to travel to other regions of the country.
If by September 17 there is no response to the demands, the movement will proceed with a silent march with gathering at 17:00 at Praça da República, then proceeding to the hospital entrance. The choice of silence represents, according to the group, the reality faced by many oncology patients in a struggle marked by waiting, uncertainty and exhaustion. Radio Campanário attempted to obtain a response from the Chairman of the Board of the Local Health Unit of Alto Alentejo but received no comment.
