“We view [the situation] with anticipation. We very much want there to be structural reforms in health, [but] it doesn’t seem to me that these are really structural reforms – it seems to me that these are measures to resolve, once again, situations that need to be addressed, but are ultimately quick fixes that will not structurally solve the health problems,” said Mariana Leitão.
Speaking to Lusa on the sidelines of the European liberals’ congress in Brussels, the official pointed out that the National Health Service (SNS) is “not responding” to needs, emphasizing the necessity to “reform the system itself.”
On Friday, the Government announced the approval of 11 health-related decrees, which include the creation of regional emergency services under hospital administrations, the establishment of high-performing centers in gynecology and obstetrics, a new system for managing waiting lists, rules for hiring locum doctors, and the formation of a Fraud Fighting Unit in the SNS (with enhanced criminal investigation powers to follow).
Also on Friday, the replacement of the president of the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM) was announced, a position previously held by Sérgio Janeiro on an interim basis.
“I didn’t understand the reasons yet […]. The INEM president […] has rotated quickly, but INEM continues to face severe issues with resources, how human resources are organized, and a lack of specialized personnel,” listed Mariana Leitão.
“There is a set of problems here that actually needed to be resolved. It doesn’t seem that a mere change in president will solve that,” added the IL leader.
The Ministry of Health confirmed the replacement of the INEM president, Sérgio Janeiro, selecting one of the other two candidates validated by the Public Administration Recruitment and Selection Commission for the position.
On Friday, the Government approved the regulation of medical work in service provision, aiming to regulate fees paid to these healthcare professionals and includes a system of incompatibilities.
The legal regime establishing regional emergencies was also adopted, with the first expected to commence in the Setúbal Peninsula in early 2026, announced the Minister of Health.
The approval was also given to create a Fraud Combat Commission in the National Health Service, projected to save around 800 million euros, the Health Minister announced.
In the Council of Ministers, the Government approved the creation of a new system for access to consultations and surgeries, allowing patients to track their position on the waiting list and choose the hospital where they wish to be attended.
The president of the Liberal Initiative, Mariana Leitão, attended the Liberal and Democrat Alliance for Europe Party Congress in Brussels for the first time as party leader.
In her speech, she emphasized the necessity for the European Union to diversify its supplies to avoid dependency on third parties and to reduce bureaucracy to remain economically competitive.
[Updated at 2:14 PM]
