The National Federation of Doctors (FNAM) has announced a nationwide strike scheduled for October 24, protesting against government reforms perceived as harmful to healthcare services, especially in obstetrics and gynecology, and criticizing the lack of genuine negotiation efforts.

FNAM leaders condemned recent meetings with the Health Minister, Ana Paula Martins, describing them as non-negotiative and criticizing the government's plan to centralize emergency services, which could reduce local access to urgent care, particularly impacting regions like the Península de Setúbal.

The federation warns that proposed legislation could lead to the closure of several emergency services, affecting vulnerable populations, especially in areas outside metropolitan regions where hospitals are farther apart, risking the quality of care for pregnant women and newborns.

In addition to medical professionals, public administration workers will also strike on October 24, demanding salary increases, career recognition, job stability, and improvements in public service conditions, reflecting a nationwide push for dignity and stability in the public sector.

The broader public sector strike aims to address issues such as salary, career development, and the reinstatement of public employment ties, emphasizing the need for better working conditions across the entire public administration.

The government has initiated negotiations with health sector professionals, offering incentives like a 500-euro salary supplement for doctors working in regional emergency services, but these efforts have not quelled the ongoing tensions.

The planned strike on October 24 is a response to the creation of regional emergency centers, which critics argue will harm proximity care and overload areas like Setúbal, where only one hospital handles obstetric emergencies for the region.

The union has scheduled a meeting mediated by the Directorate-General for Employment and Labour Relations to discuss solutions for increasing medical staff in the NHS amid ongoing staffing shortages.

Experts highlight that regional emergency centers are not equivalent to metropolitan ones, with disparities in access and response times, which could compromise patient care, especially in less urbanized areas.

This is not the first strike by FNAM; their last major action occurred in September 2024, coinciding with nurses' strikes, reflecting persistent tensions over working conditions and government policies.

Joana Bordalo e Sá emphasizes that the strike is driven by concerns for both doctors and patients, citing the negative impact of current reforms on healthcare quality and accessibility.

The strike notice was officially submitted on October 9, fulfilling legal requirements, despite the short notice period, signaling the seriousness of the healthcare workers' demands.

FNAM continues to highlight the ongoing crisis in the NHS, citing hospital closures, overcrowded emergency services, and critical incidents such as babies being born in ambulances or on the street, affecting patients across Portugal.