Citizens Take Legal Action to Halt Sale of Madeira's Strategic Hospital
Madeira GuideA group of citizens has filed a legal complaint to stop the sale of Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça in Madeira, citing the need to protect public health interests.
In a move that underscores the growing public concern over healthcare facilities in Madeira, a group of citizens has officially lodged a complaint with the Procuradoria-Geral da República and the Department of Investigation and Penal Action. Their goal is to prevent the sale of the Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça, a key healthcare asset in the region.
The complaint is rooted in the constitutional right of Popular Action, which allows citizens to take legal action to protect public interests. The group argues that selling the hospital for financial reasons, such as reducing public debt, would be detrimental to the public health infrastructure.
Sofia Vieira, a spokesperson for the group, emphasized the hospital's importance, stating that it should be transformed into a facility for continuous and palliative care to address the significant healthcare gaps in the region. She highlighted that turning over such a vital public resource to private hands could lead to irreversible damage to Madeira's healthcare system.
The government's proposal to sell the hospital, which is intended to help repay public debt, has been met with significant opposition. Critics argue that this move violates the Principle of Pursuing the Public Interest, as outlined in Article 4 of the Administrative Procedure Code, and the right to health protection guaranteed by Article 64 of the Constitution.
The group has called for a temporary injunction to suspend any sale proceedings, emphasizing that losing this infrastructure would critically impact Madeira's public health network. They are urging other citizens and civic movements to join their cause in defending public health and property.
"We cannot accept that a strategic asset for the health of Madeirans is sacrificed for merely financial purposes," said Sofia Vieira, highlighting the broader implications of the hospital's sale.
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Madeira Guide
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