The Order of Physicians (OM) presented a set of proposals in several areas with the aim of placing doctors in underserved areas of the country. The organization considers that the measures currently adopted are "piecemeal" and fragmented, meaning they do not constitute an integrated and coherent strategy to solve the problem of unequal distribution of health professionals across the national territory.
Among the measures proposed by the OM are fiscal incentives, more attractive working conditions and specific career programs for doctors who choose to practice in areas with less access to healthcare. The Order argues that without a structured approach, the concentration of doctors in urban and coastal areas will continue, while the interior of the country faces serious human resource gaps.
This initiative comes in a context of persistent difficulties in the Portuguese National Health Service, which has struggled to ensure adequate medical coverage in all regions. The OM therefore intends to pressure health authorities to adopt a more comprehensive and coordinated policy for the placement of doctors.
