A dermatologist at Hospital de Santa Maria in Lisbon earned around 400,000 euros over ten additional working Saturdays throughout 2024, with one day yielding over 51,000 euros.
The dermatologist, identified as Miguel Alpalhão, utilized the SIGIC – Integrated Management System for Surgery Registrations, which allows surgeries to be conducted outside regular working hours to reduce waiting lists.
According to a statement provided to the dermatology team, this system stipulates that “there must be a maximum limit to SIGIC not to exceed one-third of the total surgical output.” An email from the service director revealed that “66 outpatient surgeries must be performed to conduct one SIGIC day with 22 patients.” CNN Portugal accessed this information.
In 2024, the dermatologist’s earnings averaged approximately 40,000 euros per Saturday. However, one particular Saturday was notable for bringing in over 51,000 euros.
The dermatologist was also responsible for entering data into the system, which triggered the payments for all participants involved in the additional surgeries.
In late 2023, he used SIGIC to remove benign lesions from his parents.
The president of Hospital de Santa Maria, Carlos Martins, assured that “any abnormal situation would have been reported or detected.” Nevertheless, he ordered the suspension of additional surgery programs from this Saturday onward.
“It is impossible that the doctor in question earned 400,000 euros in 10 days. All alarm signals would have triggered,” he stated, emphasizing that there are “various control points” within SIGIC.
In addition to suspending the surgeries, Carlos Martins requested an investigation by the Health Activities General Inspectorate (IGAS) and initiated an internal audit. The Public Prosecutor’s Office has also requested more information about the case from Hospital de Santa Maria.
