At the sidelines of the National Health Convention in Lisbon, Ana Paula Martins declined to comment on cases under investigation by the Public Prosecutor’s Office, but acknowledged the seriousness of the situation.
“Every time such incidents occur, citizens’ trust in the National Health Service diminishes. This is something we cannot and should not ignore,” she stated, emphasizing the need to strengthen control mechanisms with the Fraud Combat Unit.
For the minister, these situations call for “the professional ethical code of all health professionals.”
“We need to realize that even when these things happen, possibly involving a very small fraction that in no way represents what our professionals and teams do extraordinarily, it undermines confidence in the system and the National Health Service, and we cannot let that happen,” she stressed.
The dermatologist earned more than 700,000 euros in additional surgeries at Hospital de Santa Maria and, according to the Health Activities General Inspection (IGAS), he inappropriately received incentives for coded surgeries, some oncological.
The minister highlighted that the SIGIC (surgical waiting list system), “despite all its flaws,” and even though it’s being transformed, “has saved many lives and continues to do so,” as it optimizes the installed capacity in the NHS when all procedures are followed.
Ana Paula Martins expressed hope that with all the measures being implemented, and with the Fraud Combat Unit, the Portuguese can continue to trust the National Health Service.
According to the report’s conclusions released by the Health Activities General Inspection (IGAS), which was sent to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the dermatologist allegedly even scheduled dermatology appointments for his parents without prior referral, prepared surgical proposals, and carried out the surgeries.
