Cape Verde's National Health System (SNS) faces an imminent risk of collapse if there are no significant investments by the Government. The lack of personnel, materials and overload of demands are critical challenges currently facing the sector.
This alert was given this Tuesday, July 23, by Dr. Tito Rodrigues, doctor and member of the board of the Public Administration Workers Union (Sintap), during a press conference in the city of Praia. On the occasion, Luis Lima Fortes, national secretary of Sintap, representing seven unions in the sector, announced a national strike scheduled to take place from July 31st to August 3rd.
Dr Rodrigues painted an alarming picture, describing the current state of the NHS as “extremely bleak”. He highlighted that without hiring sufficient staff and valuing existing professionals, the collapse of the system is inevitable. "We are seeing disinvestment by the Government, which needs to be reversed urgently to avoid a total collapse", warned Rodrigues.
He highlighted the urgent need for more nurses, doctors and technicians in various specialties such as analysis and radiology. Despite the limited availability of doctors on the market, the Government has not been recruiting in recent months, further aggravating the situation.
Luis Lima Fortes reiterated that the strike aims to pressure the Government to comply with the previously signed agreement. The main demands include the approval of the Functions and Remuneration Plan (PCFR) for the medical career and its regulation, in addition to the nursing career plan and the National Institute of Public Health (INSP).
Fortes also highlighted the need to negotiate the level of functional qualification of doctors and nurses, as well as the recruitment of recently graduated doctors to alleviate the burden on health services.
To date, the Minister of Health, Filomena Gonçalves, and the Ministry's advisors have not responded to requests for comment on the situation.
The risk of collapse of Cape Verde's SNS is a reality that requires immediate action by the Government. Without investment and an effective response to the demands of healthcare professionals, the future of the country's healthcare system remains uncertain.
