An open letter, currently being shared by dozens of Pre-Hospital Emergency Technicians (TEPH) on social media, addresses Luis Cabral’s accusations. Over the weekend, Cabral criticized the technicians’ behavior during the 2024 strike, describing it as having a “serious ethical and deontological dimension.”
The TEPH contend in this open letter that the 2024 events “were not the technicians’ fault,” noting that those scheduled to work appeared, and the “rejection of extra services” was not irresponsible but rather “a cry for help.”
“Extraordinary work is, as the name suggests, extra. Nevertheless, for years it was done continuously, with endless hours, because technicians know the public needs them. Only when this limit was reached did anyone start to listen,” they stated.
The Health Activities Inspectorate (IGAS) report on compliance with work organization standards and the operational capacity of the Urgent Patient Guidance Centers (CODU) during the October and November 2024 strikes concluded that only the strike focused on supplemental/overtime work, declared by the Union of Pre-Hospital Emergency Technicians (STEPH), was communicated to INEM with a formal strike notice.
Notices for other strikes—general strikes announced by the National Federation of Independent Unions of Public Administration and Public Purpose Entities (FESINAP) and the National Union of Workers in Services and Public Purpose Entities (STTS) for October 31, and by FESINAP for November 4—”were not directly communicated to INEM,” resulting in the lack of circulated information and the appropriate declaration of minimum services.
IGAS indicated that the impact mitigation of the overlap between the TEPH strike on supplemental work and the public administration general strikes on CODU’s operational capacity “was not safeguarded,” as legal mechanisms and formalities to contest and negotiate minimum services were not activated, nor was compliance with the existing collective labor agreement for minimum services ensured.
On Sunday, in a note sent to Lusa, the Union of Hospital Emergency Technicians (STEPH) accused the INEM president of seeking “a scapegoat” and attacking professionals, considering legal action against Luis Cabral.
The legal department is “analyzing the statements made to consider any necessary legal actions to defend INEM workers,” stated STEPH.
The union asserts that “the INEM president is undermining TEPH’s professional dignity, implying they don’t identify as healthcare professionals,” emphasizing: “They are highly qualified healthcare professionals, with specific training and recognized technical skills, operating at the forefront of medical emergencies often under intense pressure, risk, and resource scarcity, addressing systemic failures that have persisted for years.”
In the open letter shared today, the TEPH assert that “INEM’s history cannot be written without its technicians.”
“We evolved with the system, grew with it, and helped shape it. We ensured pre-hospital response to thousands of incidents, stabilized patients, and delivered lives with hope to hospital doors. This journey cannot be erased or undervalued,” they stated.
They assure that they do not wish to dismantle INEM, but rather “see it grow, evolve, and respond better,” representing “around 70% of the institute’s operational force.”
“Ignoring us is wasting knowledge, experience, and a will to improve. Valuing us, investing in our training, and listening to those familiar with pre-hospital realities is the only intelligent way to ensure a stronger and more prepared INEM for the future,” they advocate.
In his interview with Público, Luis Cabral revealed plans to involve nurses in call handling and entrust TEPH with emergency resource management, implementing a hospital-like triage system in the operations centers, with response times tailored to patient priority levels.
