A report released after the findings of the Health Activities Inspectorate-General (IGAS) regarding the delayed assistance to a 53-year-old man from Pombal, who died on November 4, concluded that the man’s death “could have been avoided if timely and reasonable assistance had been provided”, enabling the transfer of the victim via a Coronary Green Pathway to the nearest hospital. The Ministry of Health emphasizes that the inquiry dismisses any connection with the INEM strike.
According to the report, as stated by the Ministry of Health, “the potential delay in INEM’s arrival, contrary to some claims, is not attributed to the INEM strike or any delay in the call being answered by the CODU [Urgent Patient Guidance Center].”
IGAS confirmed at least one death during the strike of the National Institute of Medical Emergency at the end of 2024. The victim was a 53-year-old man residing in the municipality of Pombal.
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The note, citing the version of the IGAS report sent to it, states that “the causes of the delay are other” and related to the “alleged lack of care, diligence, and attention” of two professionals involved in the rescue process.
Regarding these behaviors, the report mentions that the professionals “did not act according to best medical emergency practices” and they “were expected to respond more swiftly, particularly in the triage and dispatch of resources,” it adds.
Thus ruling out the relation of the pre-hospital emergency technicians’ strike at INEM with this death, the Ministry notes that, according to the report, the failures in the rescue efforts were allegedly due to “individual behaviors following the emergency call’s reception.”
