The Portuguese Medical Association has requested clarification from the Local Health Unit (ULS) of Braga regarding a case involving the hospital’s ophthalmology director, as reported by TVI/CNN Portugal. The director reportedly resigned following the news coverage.
TVI/CNN Portugal revealed that Braga Hospital has been contracting millions of euros for ophthalmology services with a private company owned by the very director of the service. Since 2019, when the health unit transitioned from a Public-Private Partnership to state control, contracts exceeding 27 million euros have been signed.
In three direct adjustments made in 2024 and 2025, over nine million euros were paid for consultations, surgeries, and injections, among other services, to the company Iberoftal, owned by the director of ophthalmology.
TVI also reported that the same health professional serves as the coordinator of Ophthalmology at Instituto CUF Porto and Hospital CUF Porto, which conflicts with legal stipulations for directors in the National Health Service.
After CNN Portugal contacted the hospital, the doctor submitted his resignation.
