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Honourable Mayor of Arganil
Honourable Speaker of the Municipal Assembly
Honourable Governor of the Holy Almshouse
Honourable Secretary of State for Health

I was very pleased to accept the invitation of the Governors of the Arganil Holy Almshouse to attend the inaugural ceremony of the Dr. Fernando Valle Continuous Care Hospital.

By sponsoring this act I wish primarily to pay tribute to the actions developed by the almshouses on behalf of the community.

As centuries old institutions with a history which merges into the History of Portugal, almshouses are a particularly representative instance of how civil society organizations, acting autonomously or in partnership with the State, contribute towards meeting the needs of the people.

The hospital facility which is being opened today will be attached to the Integrated Continuous Care Network. This is a means that I believe is particularly deserving of merit, by taking advantage of the existing resources in this County, based on the link between the Holy Almshouse and the public structures of the National Health Service.

By way of this healthy association, the Almshouse and the State can better achieve their common objective: promoting the well being of the Portuguese and contributing towards the improvement in the quality of life of the people, especially those that are in greater need, that require more health care, particularly the elderly

Just as happens in other areas, I believe that this interaction between the public and the private services will give rise to better results for society.

The country can only benefit from a strong and dynamic civil society. The vitality of the civil society, of which this hospital is a good example, will, in the end, become an item of greater accountability for the State. The public powers know that trust can be placed in the civil society. As a complement, however, the more dynamic it shows itself to be, the more can civil society legitimately demand the State’s support. It is only fair to help those that give more help.

From now on, Arganil can avail itself of a hospital which will fulfil an important void, with the County provided with a facility the meets the lack of assistance between the general or specialized hospital, whether large or small, and domestic support.

This is a matter of providing health care to people who, not requiring permanent or prolonged internment, still demand an attention that cannot be carried out by simple domestic support. This is the case with the sick that are in a stage of recovery and still require continuous clinical treatment and supervision.

It is thus possible, to use a well known phrase, «to promote the autonomy of the autonomous means». It will be possible to ensure, continuously and sustainably, better health care and better quality of life to elderly people and to others in a situation of dependency.
Setting up decentralized units for continuous care thus answers the objectives to allow rendering such care in an appropriate environment and to do so closer to the people’s residence, and where the sick feel more at home.

The name chosen for this hospital could not be more appropriate. Born in Arganil, Fernando Valle was, throughout his whole life, an example of dedication to others. An outstanding figure in Portuguese public life, a citizen involved in the fight for a freer Portugal, he was also notable as a physician always available for those in need, such as the human being living next door.

I am certain that of Fernando Valle’s memory this hospital will not keep just his name. The example of his life will always be an incentive and a model for all those that work here.