The president of the Union of Pre-Hospital Emergency Technicians (STEPH), Rui Lázaro, explained that a unanimous decision was reached due to the breach of an agreement made in August with the Government and the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM). This agreement was intended to implement clinical protocols expected to improve care for citizens, according to the union.
The protocols, approved by the Medical Association since 2016, involve administering certain medications in life-threatening situations.
Since August, protocols for anaphylaxis, convulsion, and sepsis have been implemented, with protocols addressing pain response and convulsions still pending. The protocol for cardiac arrest, which was supposed to be implemented in December, is unlikely to proceed as no steps have been taken, stated the STEPH leader.
“This breach coincides with the arrival of the current president at INEM,” noted Rui Lázaro, mentioning that the union sought clarification from the Health Minister, Ana Paula Martins, but received no response.
“It’s peculiar given that she stated last year her intention to dedicate 70% of her time to INEM,” he emphasized.
The union leader also mentioned that if there is no response from the ministry after the strike, the STEPH would consider other advocacy actions.
Rui Lázaro further explained that Pre-Hospital Emergency Technicians (TEPH) have been trained in all protocols covered in the agreement with the Government and INEM, including the 150 recently hired personnel. The missing steps are equipping ambulances with the necessary medications and publishing the appropriate technical guidelines for their use.
Without implementing these protocols, only doctors or nurses in more specialized units can perform these actions.
“Given that these specialized teams are limited, in most cases, we will have to rush victims to the hospital, hoping they arrive in time to be saved,” added the union official.
[Updated at 11:36]
