The Court of Auditors has rejected the direct agreement made by the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM) with Gulfmed for helicopter transport services. In their ruling, judges stated that the company “acted in bad faith” throughout the process and criticized the government for ongoing delays and lack of resources leading to this illegality.
When questioned, the INEM stated that, following the Court’s decision, they are “complying with the determined guidelines, proceeding to ascertain the amounts owed to the service provider as aligned with the contract resulting from the previously conducted international public tender.”
“These measures are being undertaken without any service interruption to the public,” the INEM noted, reaffirming their “commitment to rigor, transparency, and continuous operation, ensuring that all air medical emergency missions proceed with full normalcy.”
Gulf Med was awarded the emergency medical helicopter service as part of an international public tender intended to commence operations on July 1, which did not occur, necessitating INEM to proceed with direct adjustment and rely on Air Force support.
The international public tender, launched in November 2024, concluded with Gulf Med’s successful bid announcement in March this year, planned for operating four helicopters from INEM bases in Macedo de Cavaleiros, Viseu, Évora, and Loulé between July 2025 and the end of 2030.
According to the direct agreement contract published on the Base portal, the maximum price INEM could pay the Malta-based company could not exceed 4,011,500 euros. This direct agreement has now been vetoed by the Court of Auditors.
In mid-September, INEM announced that the four emergency medical helicopters operated by Maltese company Gulf Med should be fully operational “within a few weeks.”
