There have been numerous reactions to recent events involving the National Institute for Medical Emergency (INEM). Some demand the resignation of the Health Minister, others call for a comprehensive audit, and some advocate for joint efforts to save the National Health Service (SNS).
For instance, on Saturday, a 49-year-old man in critical condition with a cranial trauma reportedly waited over five hours for a transfer from Covilhã Hospital to the University Hospitals of Coimbra, transported by an Air Force helicopter.
However, on Monday, Defense Minister Nuno Melo refuted what he termed “false information,” asserting that the process took “2h15 including patient waiting time.”
The Defense Ministry detailed in a statement that “from the helicopter’s departure from Montijo to the delivery of the patient in Coimbra, 2h15 elapsed, including patient waiting time.”
Notícias ao Minuto with Lusa | 16:39 – 07/07/2025
There is also the case of two pregnant women who lost their babies after several gynecology/obstetrics emergencies were closed.
From Left to Right and Even Presidential Candidates: Reactions to INEM Failures and Chaos in SNS
Responses to the various situations involving INEM emerged swiftly. For instance, Bloco de Esquerda coordinator Mariana Mortágua, in a press conference, reiterated that Prime Minister Luís Montenegro must dismiss Health Minister Ana Paula Martins.
“He must take responsibility for what is happening in the SNS. It is not enough to make politics against immigrants and change the nationality law as if all the country’s problems were reduced to a single issue,” she stated.
Mariana Mortágua also mentioned that she requested a parliamentary hearing of the Health Minister to obtain explanations regarding INEM’s recent failures.
The BE today called for a parliamentary hearing of the Health Minister to explain INEM’s failures and demanded solutions from the Prime Minister, arguing that “he cannot continue to hide.”
Lusa | 17:38 – 07/07/2025
Meanwhile, Chega’s leader André Ventura stated that the Health Minister should have already ordered a full audit of INEM, which should be the starting point for drawing conclusions.
“Under these circumstances, the Health Minister should already have informed the country that she will conduct a full audit and take actions based on its results. Instead, she mentioned she would wait for reports from the Health Activities Inspectorate to decide on actions,” he said.
André Ventura argues that Ana Paula Martins “must take her share of responsibility, that is, a significant part.”
“INEM needs an audit to identify failings and determine why resources are lacking across the country,” he added.
Today, the Chega leader, André Ventura, insisted that the Health Minister should have already declared a full audit of INEM and that consequences will follow.
Lusa | 18:44 – 07/07/2025
Presidential candidate Henrique Gouveia e Melo declined to comment on the controversy surrounding the patient allegedly taking five hours to be transported from Covilhã Hospital to the Coimbra University Hospitals. Nevertheless, he defended the Air Force’s role in medical emergencies.
“I know the Air Force well, I have worked with them, and they do the best they can with the tools the State provides. If there’s any doubt about whether the Air Force should assist, that doubt is resolved by the Constitution,” he noted, adding that his “colleagues perform true miracles.”
Regarding a potential crisis in INEM, the candidate for Belém avoided discussing the matter, considering he is not yet President and therefore should not comment.
Presidential candidate Gouveia e Melo today recognized that the Air Force performs “miracles” in supporting society, refrained from discussing INEM’s situation, but voiced opposition to exclusivity agreements among service providers.
Lusa | 19:08 – 07/07/2025
In contrast, fellow presidential candidate António José Seguro advocated for “a regime agreement among all parties, the Government, and the President to save the National Health Service (SNS)“, noting that “it is unacceptable to have so many emergency rooms closed.”
He also called for “all political parties to put forward their proposals and achieve greater viability for the National Health Service.”
“So that the Portuguese can have timely consultations and operations and to avoid this number of emergency closures on weekends,” he pointed out.
Asked whether Minister Ana Paula Martins should face political consequences for these incidents, Seguro refrained from responding.
Today, presidential candidate António José Seguro advocated for a regime agreement among all parties, the Government, and the President to save the National Health Service (SNS), deeming the closure of numerous hospital emergency rooms unacceptable.
Lusa | 19:53 – 07/07/2025
Read Also: Chaos in SNS and INEM. On pregnant women who lost babies waiting for five hours
