Sílvia Lutucuta said that the Executive will assume, in its totality, the necessary expenses for the treatment outside the doors of the most vulnerable patients. However, all those who do not fall into this category will have to share in the cost of services.
"We had people with bad intentions who took advantage of the situation. After an evaluation, it was seen that many took advantage and remained more than 10 years outside the country, without needs, at the expense of the Medical Board", pointed out the holder of the Health portfolio .
According to data recently released by the Government, the country had 245 patients and 130 companions at the expense of the National Medical Board in Portugal. It was also learned that each patient costs an average of about five million kwanzas per year to the state coffers. In the last decades, 9,360 patients were treated in Portugal, and the costs of 5250 companions were also borne.
The minister emphasized, however, the need to maintain the functions of the Medical Board, although in other ways of functioning.
However, with the evolution of medicine in the country, Lutucuta justified the return of transplant patients, taking into account the training of specialists in the field of nephrology. She said that 20 Angolans are being treated in Portugal and may return as soon as this is concluded.
With regard to hemodialysis treatments - also done so far in other countries - the minister said that the State has taken on this responsibility, building specialized centers in Luanda, Benguela, Bié, Huíla and Moxico. A next center is also planned for the province of Cabinda.
After this restructuring, to have access to the Medical Board it will be necessary to have a prior assessment of the patients by Angolan specialists and also of the Portuguese health units to which they will be sent for treatment.
