According to the president of the National Federation of Doctors (FNAM) about two-thirds of doctors were on strike this Tuesday, he told the media in an interview. The president highlighted that the strike has caused significant disruptions, particularly in hospital operating rooms, with many of them being closed.

Impact on Operating Rooms

Joana Bordalo e Sá said:

“We are assuming, for now, and the preliminary data is that two thirds of doctors will be on strike.”

The union leader pointed out that the biggest constraints, as expected, are in the operating rooms. He noted that some surgical rooms are completely closed, with only emergency operations being carried out.

The operating blocks of hospitals in Guimarães, Gaia, Santo António, Penafiel, and Amarante (in the district of Porto), as well as the hospital in Leiria and the Porto IPO, are facing these disruptions.

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In Coimbra, at the university hospital, the central block is experiencing an 80% stoppage, according to preliminary data from FNAM as of 12:45.

Effects on Internal Medicine Wards

Joana Bordalo e Sá highlighted many constraints in Internal Medicine wards on this first of two strike days. For instance, at the Hospital de Gaia, adherence is at 80%, while at the Hospital da Figueira da Foz, it has reached 100%.

Regarding hospital consultations, the union leader noted that the impact is more variable, with adherence rates ranging between 50% and 100%. When asked whether participation met Fnam’s expectations, Joana Bordalo e Sá responded that it was as expected, considering the level of discontent among doctors.

Interns’ Role in the Strike

Furthermore, she highlighted that interns make up a third of the medical workforce in the National Health Service and said:

“These numbers correspond to thousands of doctors, specialists, interns.”

Joana Bordalo e Sá highlighted that Fnam is witnessing a strong response from interns, who primarily work in the wards. This, she noted, underscores the more vulnerable situation they face, with an overwhelming amount of work.

Accountability and Demands

Joana Bordalo e Sá emphasized that, despite not engaging in a numbers war, the disruption to services was anticipated and has impacted people’s lives. She accused the Ministry of Health and Ana Paula Martins, the health minister, of being truly responsible for the situation, claiming they did nothing to prevent it.

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Doctors initiated a two-day strike today, demanding improved working conditions. The National Federation of Doctors (Fnam) emphasized the need for a health minister who understands health and can serve the NHS.

Key Demands of the FNAM

Among the demands from the National Federation of Doctors (Fnam), which conducted a two-day general strike in July, are:

• Reinstatement of the normal 35-hour workweek.
• Updating of the salary scale.
• Integration of intern doctors into the entry category for the medical career.
• Reinstatement of 25 vacation days per year, along with five additional vacation days if taken outside the high season.

Ongoing Strikes

The Fnam strike began today at midnight and will conclude at midnight on Wednesday. Simultaneously, a separate strike against overtime work in health centers is ongoing. This strike began on September 16 and will continue until December 31.

Furthermore, the strike also coincides with a nurses’ strike, called by the Portuguese Nurses’ Union (SEP).