Doctors of the Algarve Oncology Service Resign from Responsibility

The National Federation of Doctors (FNAM) revealed on Tuesday that doctors from the Medical Oncology Service of the Local Health Unit of Algarve have submitted resignations of responsibility, highlighting the lack of working conditions and care provided to patients.

In a statement, FNAM explains that the doctors' complaints reveal months of delays in the authorization of medications and tests, which have a direct impact on the survival and prognosis of patients. The situation has already been reported to the General Inspectorate of Health Activities (IGAS).

Key Issues Raised

The FNAM points out several critical issues including:

• Basic physical conditions such as lack of bathrooms and hot water.
• Extreme shortage of human resources.
• Absence of a plan for retaining doctors and reliance on internal medical staff for normal hospital operations.

Doctors also report constant breakdowns of essential equipment, particularly for chemotherapy preparation, an unsustainable workload, and a structural disorganization that compromises clinical safety.

Additionally, they express concerns over not being involved in strategic decisions regarding the future of oncology in the region.

New Equipment Announcement

These complaints arise following the announcement by the Loulé City Council at the end of March about the installation of new equipment in a facility where cancer patients in Algarve will be treated entirely, avoiding trips to Lisbon or Seville as is currently the case.

This solution was reached with the agreement of the Algarve ULS and the Academic Center for Biomedical Research and Training of Algarve (ABC), after the previous project to modify the Detailed Plan of Parque das Cidades for building the new Southern Reference Oncology Center was abandoned, which was expected to be operational by 2024.

The new unit is expected to start functioning in mid-2026, with an investment of €3.5 million, financed 60% by European funds (Portugal2030) and 40% by the Loulé City Council.

The urban planning department of Loulé had previously rejected the construction of the Regional Oncology Center of the South in January, citing that the project exceeded the permitted area for construction and did not comply with stipulated green areas.

With the agreement achieved, the Algarve ULS ensures that all diagnostic PET scans in the region will be performed in the new facility by the time the future Central Hospital of Algarve becomes operational.

In light of the doctors' complaints, FNAM demands the resolution of the highlighted constraints by increasing human and technical resources, enhancing the value of medical work, and ensuring that structural decisions, such as the establishment of oncology centers, involve National Health Service professionals.