Marta Temido told journalists at the sidelines of the inauguration of a new hospital unit in Lisbon that she hoped a negotiation meeting this week with trade unions would be “productive” and help understand areas in which parties can be brought closer.


She added that she hoped the national health service would run smoothly and respond quickly to citizens’ needs.


Her comments come after nurses in public sector health institutions last Friday ended a four-day rolling strike to press for full accounting of seniority points for the purpose of unfreezing career progressions and to protest against the Ministry of Health winding up talks on the career structure.


The first day of the strike, on Tuesday, covered the hospitals and health centres of the Lisbon and Tagus Valley region and had a high percentage of turnout, with almost 70 percent of nurses taking part.


The second day, Wednesday, covered hospitals and health centres of Central Portugal, the third, Thursday, the North, and on the fourth and final day, Friday, the Azores, Alentejo and Algarve regions.


On Wednesday, the two trade unions suspended a strike set to last until 28 February and will meet the government, but they have said they will reactivate the suspended strike if an agreement is not reached.