Recent events involving INEM have sparked a range of reactions, with calls for the resignation of the Health Minister, demands for a complete audit, and suggestions for collaborative efforts to save Portugal’s National Health Service (SNS).
On Saturday, a 49-year-old man, in critical condition with a cranial injury, reportedly waited over five hours for transfer from Covilhã Hospital to Coimbra University Hospitals. The transport was carried out by an Air Force helicopter.
However, on Monday, Defense Minister Nuno Melo refuted claims of delay, labeling them as “false information” and assuring that the process took “2h15 including the patient wait time“.
In another incident, two pregnant women lost their babies following the closure of several gynecology/obstetrics emergency services.
Reactions from Across the Political Spectrum: INEM’s Failures and SNS Chaos
Multiple reactions have emerged concerning the issues at INEM. For instance, Mariana Mortágua, coordinator of the Left Bloc, reiterated at a press conference 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 insufficient to focus solely on immigration politics and the nationality law as if all national issues are confined to one topic,” she stated.
Mortágua also requested a parliamentary hearing with the Health Minister to explain the recent INEM failures.
Chega party leader André Ventura stated that the Health Minister should have already commissioned a full audit of INEM as the starting point for drawing necessary conclusions.
“Under these circumstances, the Health Minister should have announced a complete audit and committed to acting on its findings. Instead, she mentioned that she would act after receiving reports from the Health Activities Inspection,” Ventura remarked.
Ventura emphasized that Ana Paula Martins “needs to acknowledge her significant share of responsibility.”
“INEM requires an audit to identify shortcomings and ensure adequate resources nationwide,” he said.
Presidential candidate Henrique Gouveia e Melo refrained from commenting on the patient transfer delay controversy involving INEM. However, he expressed confidence in the Air Force’s role in medical emergencies.
“I know the Air Force well, having worked with them, and they do their utmost with state-provided resources. The Constitution addresses whether the Air Force should assist, and my colleagues perform actual miracles,” he stated.
On INEM’s potential crisis, the candidate declined to comment, citing his non-presidential status as his reason.
Meanwhile, fellow presidential candidate António José Seguro advocated for “a regime agreement involving all parties, Government, and President” to salvage the SNS, citing “unacceptable emergency closures.”
He urged “all political parties to present their proposals and work towards more SNS viability.”
“To ensure timely appointments and surgeries for citizens, preventing weekend emergency closures,” he noted.
When asked if Minister Ana Paula Martins should face political consequences, Seguro chose not to respond.
