Ana Paula Martins, the Minister of Health, spoke at the opening of the AD – PSD/CDS coalition rally in Vila Real, where she complained about inheriting a National Health Service (SNS) “adrift”.
However, the Minister of Health quickly addressed the parties referencing data on a rise in infant mortality in Portugal in 2024 to criticize the Government’s actions.
“Today, from Vila Real, to the whole country, to all future mothers, I ask you not to be frightened, have confidence in the work we are doing, have confidence in our health professionals and do not be misled by the prophets of doom who use child mortality figures for political bickering”, she stated.
According to Ana Paula Martins, “it shows a lack of respect for pregnant women and health professionals to make the statements being made today”, as in her view, her Government is equipping maternity wards and hiring human resources.
According to the minister’s data, out of 150 emergency services, “three or four are still closed”.
“We are concerned, but this will change. The National Health Service will not fail you”, she promised.
Earlier, the Secretary-General of PS had expressed significant concern over the increase in infant mortality, accusing the Minister of Health of never assuming her responsibilities nor having solutions to the worsening issues in the sector.
The President of PSD justified the choice of Ana Paula Martins as his Minister of Health to head the AD list for the Vila Real electoral district, considering her “a highly qualified figure”.
In her speech, the Health Minister also responded to the former executive director of SNS and current top candidate for Porto by the Socialist Party, Fernando Araújo, who claimed that the Prime Minister’s “lighthouse is not working” and “boats are grounding”.
Without mentioning the former Socialist State Secretary, Ana Paula Martins countered that “the ships grounding today are not due to lack of a lighthouse, but due to the absence of a compass, nautical chart, sailors, and the inability to navigate properly”.
Ana Paula Martins also addressed those who claim she, as the AD’s leading candidate for Vila Real, is a political parachutist because she is not from Trás-os-Montes.
“My commitment to the Vila Real district is for life, it is unwavering. I may have come by parachute, but I have already put it away in a secret location”, she concluded.
