Political row over Algarve Central Hospital intensifies

The political dispute surrounding the future Algarve Central Hospital has escalated, with the PSD’s local leaders in Faro and Loulé accusing the two municipalities’ socialist mayors of creating unnecessary uncertainty over the long-awaited project.

In a joint statement, the presidents of the PSD’s Faro and Loulé branches, Carlos de Deus Pereira and Vítor Coelho, criticised the way concerns about the hospital’s construction costs and access infrastructure have been raised publicly, arguing that any outstanding issues should first have been addressed through dialogue with the government.

The statement follows recent warnings by the mayors of Faro and Loulé that they should not be expected to pay for the access roads to the future hospital, concerns that have prompted an increasingly public exchange between local and national political figures.

According to the PSD (social democrat) officials, the issues highlighted by members of the tender jury do not represent a final government position and should have been discussed through “institutional channels” before being taken to the media.

They argued that the Algarve Central Hospital is “an urgent social necessity” and said the project should now be considered “unstoppable” after decades of delays.

Carlos de Deus Pereira called for an end to what he described as “the politics of press statements and media stages”, urging the municipalities to work directly with the relevant authorities to resolve the remaining issues without delaying construction.

He also stressed that delivering the hospital would require shared responsibility between central government and local authorities, with all parties working together to resolve questions surrounding the wider infrastructure needed to support the project.

Meanwhile, Vítor Coelho said the value of the new hospital should not be measured against its cost, arguing that “the life of a resident of Loulé or Faro has no price” and insisting the PSD was prepared to support the investment needed to ensure the project moves forward.

The two PSD leaders concluded that the Algarve Central Hospital is “too important to become a stage for political disputes” and called on all parties to focus on removing obstacles to the project rather than deepening political divisions.

Michael Bruxo

Journalist for the Portugal Resident.