Madeira News Blog

Today’s Photo : Thanks to Tobi … "Just a pic"

This article might appeal to potential tourists who like walking, particularly LEVADA WALKING 

Sheila kindly sent me in an article, but as it may have copyright issues I have provided a link to it instead : "Crisis in Portugal is mirrored in Madeira – Perhaps this article in the latest edition of The Portugal News will be of interest because some of the problems being faced in mainland Portugal (for instance unemployment and a lack of funds for animal care) are even more acute here in Madeira". Institutions struggle – Thousands of families in Portugal have been left living below the breadline.

Which leads on nicely to a letter I saw in the Diário on Friday, that brought a lot of responses from Diário readers.

P’Neco – A letter from a dog :
I’m an old dog, I am 14 years old. I’m happy, I have owners who really like me, who always gave me love and attention. But now I’m sick, I feel pain, I’m tired and my owners have little money. They took me to the vet, I was very well attended, my mistress was nervous, my master was sad and I just thought: – Do not be so sad I’ll will become well.

After the consultation I went home, I was already feeling better, but I realized that my owners were still anxious and sad. I finally realized why – they had little money and taking care of a dog is not easy. There is no assistance from anyone, no Health Centre to go to, as my owners have when they feel sick. Everything costs and is very expensive, and there are no reimbursements. 

My owners have spent the rest of the money that they had to get through the month. They had to pay for the consultation, and it seems I need a special diet, I had to do tests, there are vaccines that I have to take … I have  doggy friends in the same situation or even worse than me.

In the news, it is all about cases of abandonment, and bad treatment. But there are many good owners, like mine, that want to take care of their dogs, treating them, but that sometimes can only give affection that is not sufficient, as you must also have money.
In the car on the way home, my mistress was crying because she knows that I’m older and that from now on I will need care and medication, and she will not be able to pay.

I realised that one of the options was to put me to sleep, because I’m old. But I do not want to die, knowing the grief that my owners are going to have to suffer to send me to be killed, just because they have no money to take care of me. My desperate mistress already said he did not want more dogs, because it was too painful to see us die without dignity.

A few days ago my neighbour, a dog called Bobby, heard his owner say that he wanted to have another dog, but to treat it right is very expensive, and that there is no public vet and nothing cheaper, and so it was better not to. Bobby was sad, he wanted company, because his owners go off to work all day and he is left alone.

We dogs are friends, loyal, playful, because there are no laws to protect us, and to help those who protect us. – Anabela Sousa

Another fine contribution from Elaine from yesterday’s news, with many thanks …

Health Service and Electricity Company have liabilities totalling €985.2 million. The Regional Health Service at the end of the 2008 financial year had liabilities worth 484.6 million Euros, as calculated by the ‘Exame’ magazine. Two-thirds (€323 million) were owed to banks and suppliers. The liability represented record levels of debt (126%) unparalleled at a company / institution level. The Regional budget paid 227.2 million Euros to the Health Service and profit was a negative 13.9 million Euros. With 101.2 million Euros in negative equity, it was technically bankrupt, as the cost-effectiveness of services provided was -7%. The service provides care in 3 hospitals and 54 health centres. The Electricity Company of Madeira had total liabilities of 500.5 million Euros. The firm owed 360 million to banks and 60 million to suppliers. It had an 18% increase in sales (171.3 million) and overall profit of 3.7 million Euros. Madeira had 5.8% of the 500 largest Portuguese companies, 20 of these were foreign-owned and residing at the International Business Centre. They were from Italy, France, United Kingdom, Netherlands and Brazil. Despite popular opinion that they are tax-free companies, they provided a large proportion of both corporation tax and IVA. —– Lots of figures given which are meaningless to me and difficult to summarise. Der calculated the EEM had a debt of 5,000 Euros for every customer. The debt the health service is running up for each taxpayer must also be unbelievable. Is everyone living beyond their means? Sharp increase in taxes coming?

More details about rescue exercise in Rabaçal. The Civil Defence and Armed Forces are performing a ‘Missing 09′ rescue exercise on the 19th and 20th November in Rabaçal. To simulate the disappearance of a group of 15 tourists in Rabaçal and an accident involving a passenger bus on the road that leads to the Casa da Rabaçal. Over 100 people and 25 vehicles will be involved. There will be the Armed Forces, Emergency Medical Teams, Bombeiros and ambulances from 6 regions, PSP and GNR, SANAS, Forestry Police, Mountain Rescue and Canyoning Teams and Calheta Council representatives. Rabaçal is chosen as it is a tourist area where weather conditions can quickly change during the day, which tourists are often unaware of. On November 18th at the airport, the other rescue exercise will involve about 60 – 70 people, 10 – 12 ambulances and 2 Emergency Medical Teams. It is a collaboration between ANAM, Civil Defence and the Armed Forces. —- Don’t have an accident on any of these days.

Veterinary clinics now only used in emergencies. Due to the economic crisis, the clinics are used less for prophylactic care and animals tend to be taken only when essential. The clinics occasionally have large debts run up by customers and offer phased payments to assist. SPAD also find people have problems paying, and sometimes ask for proof that people really are in the economic difficulties that they claim.

Banks should finance Colombo’s Resort. Jardim has dismissed the Government’s responsibilities in the deadlock of continuing the financing of the work on Porto Santo. He said that the Government has nothing to do with investment and "If not resolved as soon as possible, banks will have to explain to shareholders how they lost that money, so the only solution is for those same banks to finish the work and subsequently put in on the market." Talking about the resignation of the Director of RDP and RTP-Madeira, Leonel de Freitas, he said his departure should have happened earlier. He pointed to the divisive character that RTP-Madeira had assumed, violating some of the fundamental ethics of the media. —- I think he is referring to RTP-Madeira not always reporting the Government in a favourable light. I think there were pre-election (interview) broadcast disputes.

Chakras and energy in health. SESARAM sending 400 nurses on a training course on the ‘Consciousness of Being’. These training sessions (the human, scientific and religious grounds; fields and energy centres; principles of the universe, care, healing nursing) and particularly (chakras, mental and emotional issues, anatomical power to defend the self, self-esteem, willpower, follow our dreams, faith and knowledge, spirituality and devotion, among others) have led some to question their relevance, scientific status and priority over more scientific / technical training needed. Especially the seven universal principles taught (mentalism, correspondence, vibration, polarity, rhythm, cause and effect and karma). This theory of transpersonal nursing was developed by a Colorado University Professor of Nursing who is considered a pioneer in the study of nursing as a scientific discipline that unites rationality and sensibility. This training promoting a holistic approach is financed by the EU, supported by WHO directives and authorized by the Director of Nursing. It aims to humanize the health service as patients do not want to be treated as mere numbers. The ‘Consciousness of Being’ serves to remind nurses that they deal with people and not the patient in bed X, ward Y. —– I love the last sentence – do nurses really have to be taught this? Just thought the taxpayers would like to know what the €484 million debt they are financing is spent on. Evidence-based medicine? No mention of the cost of the course. (Wikipedia has a page on Chakra which is a concept from traditional Indian medicine. I am still no wiser and wonder if quality of care will improve after this course).

260 have been treated for alcoholism this year. Treated at the Centre at the Casa de Saúde São Joao de Deus (hospital). The Unit has been functioning for 30 years and treated 7,000 to 10,000. The Director of the Hospital does not think that alcoholism is increasing in Madeira but there are more people seeking treatment and there is more attention given to treatment, recovery and rehabilitation. 18% of the patients are female and there are 20 beds. The Unit does not act alone but in conjunction with the regional network and the family have a key role. The Director of the Department of Mental Health, Luis Filipe, who also runs the unit, said that quicker and easier access is due to the recent formation of Community Mental Health Teams at the Regional Health Centres. More women are now asking for treatment possibly due to a decrease in stigma. A statistical analysis of the extent of alcoholism is presently being undertaken. He noted the help of the voluntary organisations, Alcoholics Anonymous and ‘Mão Amiga’. Alcoholism is decreasing amongst 40 – 50 years old as this age group has been targeted but increasing amongst young people who refuse to believe they can have a problem at their age. There will be an anniversary party for the Unit on December 2nd for 250 guests to celebrate those successfully treated.

Increase in the number of insolvencies. A new Code of Insolvency came into force five years ago and there has been an increase in the number of bankruptcies. There have been 72 this year which is about 7 times more than in the Nineties when there were only 10 – 12 a year. There were 26 in 2008. The number of firms becoming insolvent are 7% of the number of firms created, which is a positive sign.

Public works pollutes the seafront of Câmara de Lobos. Mud was being washed into the sea yesterday afternoon west of Vigario causing a brown discolouration. This was clearly seen from the Largo da Autonomia situated in front of the Town Hall. Diário reporters traced the origin to Council contractors who are building a wall in association with a new access to Ribeira da Alforra and Limoeiro. No one at the Council was available for comment.

Schoolchildren taught road safety. 50 children in Câmara de Lobos participated in an initiative promoted by the Operation Life association. After a talk at the Police Station, they went to the promenade at Vigario where there was a test course marked out. There was a maze of signs, both marked out on the promenade and roadsigns, and different means of transport, ranging from bicycles, rollerblades and skateboards. This was also part of the social inclusion project called Radically Inclusive which is designed to channel the excess adrenaline that youngsters have.

Assassination of Madeiran restaurant owner in Venezuela. A 44 year old man originating from Ribeira Brava was shot yesterday in his restaurant in Venezuela. Two men entered the establishment and repeatedly asked to be served by him, Jordan Teixeira dos Santos, mentioning his name several times. He was shot 14 times and it is thought to be part of a personal vendetta or Venezuelan ‘sicariato’. Complaints about insecurity are increasing in the country.

Destination Madeira promoted in London. The World Travel Market is to be held at the ExCel Exhibition Centre in London on the 9 – 11 November. The UK is the largest market for tourists, increasing 26.4% last year but has sharply fallen since then.

Cristiano Ronaldo is a fashion icon for the young. In his birthplace, Quinta Falcão in Funchal, the youngsters try to copy the way he walks, talks, hairstyle, earrings etc. according to the owner of the local billiard hall. They have difficulty buying from his store CR7 due to expense. A local hairdresser, who has Ronaldo’s mother and sister as clients, agrees. Ronaldo is also the Portuguese most imitated by young people worldwide and this began when he joined Manchester United six years ago and he has replaced previous idol Beckham. He is the ‘victim’ of the publicity machine of that club that buys players for their skills and transforms them into icons that can sell millions.

A quick look at today’s front page headlines :

Purely by coincidence (having published the readers letter above), this was the main photo on today’s Diário cover : Strays in the mountain remain waiting for owners until they die. Paul da Serra is the dumping ground for abandoned dogs. Also in other remote sites like Choupana. They fight until death to survive (exact translation). Confused, and wet to the bones, a little dog wanders amongst the parked cars at the miradouro of Rabaçal, in Paul da Serra. The fog was thick on that Thursday morning. The rain drizzled but was steady, soaking into the ground and leaving puddles here and there, and the animal ambled around in search of food, and for his owner who left him there to die. Further in front, on the road, the same scenario. The dog this time is bigger, seemingly a German Shepherd, hungry, soaking wet, staring and pleading … enough of that because does anyone really care? Will anyone head up there today to feed them … no I thought not, so there’s not much point in me continuing.

Marítimo with attitude to confront Porto – Mitchel (Van der Gaag) scored in the last victory against the portistas. Good prognostic for this afternoon’s game. I think I heard on the radio that it has been 6 years since Marítimo beat Porto, but this time I think  Porto could struggle a little. SportTV1 6 pm.

Accounting Tribunal (Public Auditors) refuse explanations – The region asked the tribunal if it might explain the denial the approval of support for the TV series ‘Flor do Mar’. The tribunal says that it is already all clear. Clear it was, as even I understood without any mental effort at all, that the accommodation for the crew and cast of TVI (the series producer), was  so costly that there should have been a tender organised. It’s called I believe ensuring effective use of public money, a concept that I think is totally alien to the Madeira government. Uncle Bertie and his crew of cronies are constantly breaking the rules on expenditure, and then always complain when the auditors criticise the action. Thank god we have the auditors, otherwise who knows what pockets would be lined and crazy projects endorsed without us ever knowing.

The main news headline today : Fishing fleet flees to the Azores – Already 14 boats and 250 fishermen are opting to labour in the neighbouring archipelago. They come to the dockyard of Caniçal yet pay the taxes there (?). They complain of lack of support of the regional government. Accompanied by a photo of two large fishing boats in dry dock, that clearly weren’t going anywhere. Lets hope these fishermen in the Azores don’t have the ‘Madeira taxi driver mentality’, or it will all end in tears for sure.

‘Wall of Shame’ fell 20 years ago – On a night of liberty, canticles and hugs, the Germans reunited the country two decades ago. It was the 9th November 1989. A news item that the world commemorates tomorrow. Well the world will have to commemorate without me, ‘cos I couldn’t care less, and I doubt if most of the people who read this headline will change their day either. I will spare a thought for that poor little dog pictured above though, and wonder if he is still just about alive. That wall is just history. Yet another stupid chapter in the history of mankind.

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(19th August). Only a tiny little front page mention : ‘Sócrates Comes To The Festival Of PS-M – The prime minister of Portugal returns to Madeira on Sunday, this time as national leader of the socialist party, and he goes to Fonte do Bispo’. He enjoyed his visit and warm welcome on his last visit in May, and is back this weekend for the PS-M socialist party annual rally at Fonte do Bispo. He left it very late to decide, and I bet João Carlos Gouveia, the leader of the socialists here, is over the moon. His popularity amongst his party here probably doesn’t even register on a scale of one to ten, but with JS in attendance you can bet that will bring in the activists on Sunday. I was thinking about going myself, but my toenails need trimming again.

‘New website of the voter presented Thursday – The ‘Site’ will "provide all necessary information about polling and the various elections". The new facility developed by the Ministry of Internal Administration will tell us what we need to know about the elections and polling on September 27th and 11th October. One of the aims is to disseminate information and encourage people to vote.

12 political parties will run in the national (legislative) elections in September, but sorry I can’t translate them all as they become meaningless, so I opted for none. So the ballot paper here will look something like that shown, including 5 parties that are pretty meaningless for Madeirans. Bloco de Esquerda (BE), Centro Democrático Social (CDS), Partido Popular Monárquico (PPM), Movimento Mérito e Sociedade (MMS), Partido Nacional Renovador (PNR), Partido Social Democrata (PSD), Movimento Esperança Portugal (MEP), Partido Comunista dos Trabalhadores Portugueses (PCTP/MRPP), Partido da Nova Democracia (PND), Movimento Partido da Terra (MPT), Partido Socialista (PS), Coligação Democrática Unitária (CDU). I don’t why I bothered really as I can’t vote anyway.

‘PSD, PS And CDU Run In All The Local Elections – PP Runs in all except Santa Cruz where it supports the citizens movement ‘Juntos Pelo Povo’. In fact BE (Left Block) and CDS/PP (Christian Democrats / Peoples Party) have all put their weight behind ‘Juntos Pelo Povo’, who will be at the top of the polling paper in the Cruz. The socialists, social democrats, and CDU (communists), have candidates for all the locally contested seats. The CDU communists are amongst the first to start putting up propaganda posters around me I noticed. One that they put up very near the PPD / PSD (Madeira) souvenir shop in Ribeira Brava was torn down the same night, but has now made a full recovery, presumably with the aid of extra strong glue. Silly season has officially arrived!

"A good indicator". The regional secretary for Human Resources believes that the INE data on unemployment in Madeira in July, is "a good indicator." Statistics show that the registered unemployment fell last month, which in practice is least 94 less people registered this month compared to June. However, compared with July last year, Madeira also notes a significant rise. The communiqué issued yesterday by secretary Brazão de Castro notes that at a national level the trend continues to increase in the number of unemployed. He also stressed that the figures for July, for Madeira, present other "positive symptoms", including increased ‘offers of employment’ (16.5% more than in the previous month).

(18th August). "It’s Not The End Of The Crisis – Sócrates admits that it is not over, but defends the investment of the state’. Prime Minister José Sócrates said on Monday that the public investments were responsible for taking Portugal ‘technically’ out of recession. "What is demanded of the state is the combat of the crisis and we did something already for that. It was that reason that took the country technically out of recession in the second quarter". But "it’s not the end of the crisis" he clarified, "no, we are far from that, it is certain, but it was the first sign, as one of the countries that came out of technical recession conditions that we have been immersed in for the last 9 months".

There were no updates made to the Diário website yesterday (day and evening at least), not even about Cristiano Ronaldo, so the bosses must have given everyone the day off.

(12th June). Today’s main photo is of Cristiano Ronaldo : ‘A Dream Of €94 Million : Ronaldo Is Now With Real Madrid’. No doubt this will go on for days, the TV and radio yesterday seemed to talk of nothing else, and I have no intention of following their example. Curious to know how much Real Madrid are paying Madeira’s boy wonder though?

‘Jellyfish Spoil Holidays – Many beach visitors limit themselves to sunbathing. Some of the braver ones came out of the sea stinging’. Several people were stung by the jellyfish during the holiday spell, as the South coast suffered an invasion of a "large quantity" of ‘águas-vivas’. The situation was detected Wednesday morning and lasted through until yesterday, although there were some stragglers still remaining to pester bathers. A spokesman for the Funchal beach management company reports three people were treated at the first aid posts, but nothing serious, just a few stings. Funchal life guards were told to warn bathers of the problem. In Santa Cruz, the alert was only made by those who got stung. The jelly fish normally stay out at sea, but were brought inshore by sea winds and currents. "It is rare that the stings are fatal, only when the victim is allergic to the venom, but even so it it is advisable to seek treatment. One should first remove any micro-tentacles stuck to the skin after leaving the water, scraping them off with a blade or card, after applying shaving cream. Vinegar can also be used to clean the affected area. If the victim is allergic and shows sign of shock they should taken to hospital", says the article. So add those things to you beach check list .. bathing costume, towel, sun tan lotion, shaving cream, a blade, and vinegar … You might as well have a shave whilst you are there! No problem over my way I think, as the beach and sea was heaving with bodies during both public holidays.

‘Just Seven Creches Open Today – Through measures taken yesterday, the Secretary for Education foresees much tolerance in the public facilities’. Parents who take their children to public kindergartens and day nurseries are going to have to find other solutions from today, as the courts have ruled these not to be essential services, and they are therefore being run at minimum service levels. The 7 centres open include one on Porto Santo. There are currently 993 children enrolled for day care, far above the number the state system can handle.

‘Temporary Social Zone In Place 30 Years – In Imaculado in Penha de França, there are prefabricated houses that were made for those returning from Africa and public servants. The asbestos roofs and drainage systems are falling apart’. The 27 temporary home are long past their ‘expiry date’, having been built in the late ’70′s for officials and refugees from former Portuguese colonies. They are still almost fully occupied, and the inhabitants have no idea whether they will one day they will be moved out. Interviews with several residents reveal lots of complaints, and aside from the obvious danger of deteriorating asbestos roofs, inhabitants say that the conditions are just not acceptable. Others are prepared to accept the problems and don’t want to move, being particularly happy with the rental costs of just €5 a month.

‘Portugal Is Living Three Crises Simultaneously’. That was said by a speaker during the opening of the National Congress of Portuguese Charities, which runs until Saturday in Funchal. Firstly the global financial crisis, first visible in 2007. Before that and still, Portugal is having it’s own financial crisis, creating it’s own financial and employment problems. The third crisis is one that Portugal has been facing for many years. It is a structural crisis that is linked with the end of the imperial cycle and decolonization, and with the democratization of political life and changes in Portuguese society, with integration in the EU, and reconstruction of a social market economy. That sounds more like 6 crises to me, but they all seem quite plausible.

Theft of car radios / sound systems is a growing crime on Madeira, particularly in Funchal and Caniço, and often even worse is the damage caused in breaking into the victims cars, and the theft of other items of value that are found during the robbery. Even cars in garages in apartment blocks are popular targets, as the robbers find it easy to enter and stay out of sight after the automatic garage doors give easy access, or there are other easy methods of access. The report comes after 10 cars were robbed and damaged in a communal garage yesterday in São Martinho, Funchal.