National Forum on Local Health discusses role of local government

The 1st National Forum on Local Health took place in Coimbra, bringing together local officials, MPs, and pharmacists to discuss population health.

Generic image of a group of health professionals and local politicians gathered in a conference hall with Portuguese architectural elements.
AI

Generic image of a group of health professionals and local politicians gathered in a conference hall with Portuguese architectural elements.

The Casa da Cultura in Coimbra hosted the 1st National Forum on Local Health, organized by the Order of Pharmacists and the Portuguese Association of Young Pharmacists, to debate the role of local government in population health.

The event was attended by local officials from various regions of the country, members of the Assembly of the Republic, and the Executive Director of the National Health Plan. Also participating were the CCDR Centro, the National Health Council, PLANAPP, academia, health professionals, and civil society.
The closing session was attended by the President of the Management Council of INFARMED, I.P., Rui Santos Ivo, representing the Secretary of State, Ana Povo.
The proceedings concluded with the presentation of the Manifesto for Local Health. This document calls for fair funding for municipalities, an independent evaluation of decentralization, and responses that correct territorial inequalities.
Pharmacists, present in all municipalities, expressed their willingness to partner with local governments in building local health.
Based on information from the official source: Ordem dos Farmacêuticos (29/10/2026)