CHELAS COULD provide the new home for the Instituto Português de Oncologia (IPO), the Portuguese institute of oncology. Lisbon Câmara has confirmed that negotiations are taking place with the government and a source from the Ministry for Health has described the proposal as “an idea that makes good sense”. There are mixed views over the institute’s rumoured relocation (see related article in The Resident’s March 8 issue), with some patients worrying that it could extend their journey time.
It seems that Chelas could, in the future, become a mega centre for health, and millions of euros, coming from the sale of land in some of the most valuable areas of central Lisbon, currently occupied by hospitals, would be involved in the deals.
What is already confirmed, is the construction in Chelas of the new Hospital de Todos os Santos, which has come about as a result of the government putting an end to Lisbon’s community hospitals: São José, Capuchos, Desterro, Santa Marta and Dona Estefânia. However, the list of closures may not end here and the possibility of the IPO relocating to Chelas does appear to be a strong possibility. However, the Ministry for Health confirms that the Maternidade Alfredo da Costa (maternity hospital) will not be included in this “package”.
The idea of bringing health units together on the same site has, according to the same source, distinct advantages: “The first is the substitution of old hospitals. It also allows the healthcare offer in the Lisbon area to be adjusted.”
Not all the council members are in agreement though. Councillor José Sá Fernandes comments: “The concentration of the health services is not good for the city, they must make everything available in various locations. Also, maybe this will not benefit Chelas. First, it is necessary to study the projects more closely.”
The closure of civil hospitals in the top areas in the capital could earn the state millions, although the Ministry for Health guarantees that the property and land negotiations have nothing to do with the financing for the capital’s new hospital. The site of the current IPO has already been sold to finance its new facility.
