The Médio Tejo Local Health Unit (ULS) has entered into a new social partnership to strengthen primary health care in the Diocese of Maurescas, through the Pata Branca programme, providing this health guidance with another doctor.
A cooperation protocol was signed on Thursday, March 14, between ULS Médio Tejo and ACATIM – the Community Association for Support of Seniors in Maurescas, within the framework of the “Bata Branca” programme, which will create the conditions for this expansion of health and will now have another doctor to provide assistance. Serving residents without a designated family physician.
The new doctor will start working in April, when two doctors will be integrated into the Mauricas Centre, affiliated with the Abrantes Primary Health Care Unit, within the framework of the “Bata Branca” project.
Thus, the two doctors will provide time for medical consultations, on a weekly basis, for residents of the parish who do not have an appointed family doctor, according to information from ULS Médio Tejo.
“Consultations will take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, on the cooperation protocol between ULS Médio Tejo and ACATIM, for a total of 14 hours per week to enhance working hours in primary health care,” you can read a statement issued by the foundation.
Appointments for care by these two doctors are scheduled and arranged by the Secretariat and at UCSP.
“We have a duty to work together – the state, local authorities and the social sector – in a constant search for solutions and solutions to the problems of human resource shortages, especially in remote areas and in the field of local primary health. “Health care is the basis of health promotion and disease prevention,” says Casimiro Ramos, Chairman of the Board of Directors of ULS Médio Tejo, in connection with this cooperation protocol.
According to information presented at the council meeting on Friday, March 15, by the Mayor of Abrantes, Manuel Jorge Valamatos, the Alverade Health Center will also be reinforced with another doctor, on a service delivery basis.
Audio | Manuel Jorge Valamatos, President of the Municipal Council of Abrantes
In this context, the mayor continued to look forward to “governmental capabilities capable of overcoming all existing difficulties.”
“Let's wait, we are very anticipating what will happen in the near future, and we are confident that everything will be better in the coming years in this area. Especially because we continue to bear the great responsibility of making this major investment in the Family Health Unit in the north of the municipality, while maintaining On the different centers located in the parishes, the mayor said: “We have to ensure that health care is close to our citizens. What we want is a different organizational model, capable of responding to today’s era.”
It must be remembered that after many months without a doctor and without consultations, the health attaché in Maurescas has, since September 1, 2023, provided medical care on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The Pata Branca project, which allowed retired doctor Antonio Brua to work there, is the result of a partnership between the municipality of Abrantes, ACATIM – the Community Association for Support of the Elderly in Maurescas, and the Ministry of Health.
It should be noted that ACATIM, created in 1983, is a non-profit organization formed in the form of an IPSS (institution of public benefit), with its headquarters located in Logar das Aldeas, in the Diocese of Maurescas. The purpose of its activities is the social protection of citizens in case of illness and prevention, promotion and protection in the field of health, through the provision of preventive, curative, rehabilitation and pharmaceutical assistance.
The Local Health Unit of Médio Tejo (ULS Médio Tejo) began its activity on 1 January 2024. The creation of the institution was part of the restructuring of the organizational model of provision and care within the National Health Service, with the aim of more and better care and a closer relationship with the community.
ULS Médio Tejo – formerly Centro Hospitalar do Médio Tejo (CHMT) – consists of the Hospital Dr. Manuel Constancio – Abrantes; Nossa Senhora da Graça Hospital – Tomar and Rainha Santa Isabel Hospital – Torres Novas; And 35 other functional primary health care units.
ULS Médio Tejo provides direct response to approximately 169,274 users in the municipalities of Abrantes, Alcanina, Constancia, Entroncamento, Ferreira do Zizere, Macau, Sardole, Tomar, Torres Novas, Vila Nova da Barquinha and Vila de Rey.
