Portalegre residents protest reduction in oncology doctor's hours

Dozens of people held a silent march in Portalegre to protest the alleged reduction of working hours for oncologist Rui Dinis at the local hospital's oncology unit. Demonstrators, dressed in white with pink and blue scarves, marched from Praça da República to the Hospital de Portalegre.

Organizers from the group ‘Valorizar quem cuida’ stated the protest aims to ensure the doctor's continued presence in the oncology service. Sónia Silva, a representative and oncology patient, noted that the doctor previously provided consultations on weekends but no longer does so. She reported that there is currently a waiting list of approximately 350 oncology patients.

While the administration of the Unidade Local de Saúde (ULS) do Alto Alentejo, represented by administrator Miguel Lopes, attempted to meet with the protesters at the hospital entrance, the organizers declined the meeting.