Contingency plans are a positive measure, but they are not enough to alleviate the crisis in hospitals, warns the Association of Public Health Doctors.
The president of the Association of Public Health Doctors warns of structural problems in the National Health Service, such as lack of doctors and primary health care, which makes fighting the flu difficult.
Speaking to SIC, Bernardo Gomes states that the contingency plans are a positive solution to face the increase in respiratory illnesses associated with cold weatherbut the lack of Human resources and lack of coverage in primary health care are also aggravating pressure on hospitals.
“There are structural factors here that mean that, although the contingency plans are a good idea and have been well implemented – it is responding to what is possible – we have basic structural problems that have to be resolved.”
