The LBP announced today that it has received assurances from INEM regarding the prompt payment of the remaining 3.7 million euros, following an initial agreement on Wednesday.
Speaking to Lusa after the meeting, LBP President António Nunes stated that INEM paid 9.7 million euros this week towards debts related to pre-hospital emergency services, with guarantees still needed for the remaining 3.7 million euros owed to associations.
“LBP warns that the situation with the approximately 15 million euros debt cannot be repeated, as the associations and fire brigades lack the borrowing capacity to sustain patient transport for INEM under the Integrated Medical Emergency System,” the organization noted in today’s statement.
The planned protest suggested that associations would refrain from using ambulances usually assigned to PEM (INEM’s yellow ambulances with yellow backs and corresponding replacement ambulances), opting instead for their own vehicles, which would entail greater expenses for the State.
“At this moment, the Ministry of Health and INEM are conducting all necessary actions to ensure the settlement occurs as soon as possible,” and LBP hopes that “by the end of the month” the amount will be settled.
Fire brigades, responsible for transporting about 1.2 million patients annually, mobilized by INEM, are key entities in the SIEM, coordinated by the institute.
