‘It's a symbolic date and this gesture is also intended to be symbolic, to mark and thank the work that the association's many volunteers do for patients, often at difficult and vulnerable times,’ said Mário Passos.

On Patients' Day, the mayor also wanted to praise the commitment of the clinical staff, the administration and the volunteers, “to whom the patients are certainly grateful for the care they give them”.

The hospital equipment delivered - wheelchairs, a sofa, a hygienic chair and a bariatric wheelchair - will be used by the men's medicine service at the S. João de Deus hospital in Famalicão.

‘Ensuring the provision of health care is fundamental and we know how hard the professionals work, and we, the municipality, are committed and working hand in hand to ensure that we have quality health services in Famalicão,’ said the mayor.

Mário Passos recalled the investments that are being made, giving as an example the construction and rehabilitation of the Family Health Units (USF) of S. Miguel-o-Anjo, USF de Joane and USF Urbana ‘so that nothing is lacking in the provision of care to users, while also creating better conditions for professionals’.