In June 2021, the task force of the COVID-19 vaccination plan reported an alleged case of inappropriate vaccination at health centers led by Maria Dulce da Silva Pinto to the Judiciary Police and the Health Activities General Inspection (IGAS). At that time, vaccines were not yet available for those over 18 years old.
Today, responding to a request for clarification, IGAS noted that although the executive director of the Porto Oriental Group of Health Centers (ACES) “did not adhere to the established rules and the guidelines provided by ARSN and the Task Force (…)” and acted “unilaterally, without informing her hierarchical superiors (…), she did not intend to harm eligible individuals who might have wished to be vaccinated.”
The IGAS report indicates that Maria Dulce da Silva Pinto, “realizing the negative repercussions of her actions (…)” requested the immediate cessation of her role.
As mitigating factors for the executive director of Porto Oriental ACES’s actions, IGAS mentioned “the pressure on health services and vaccination center officials to keep up the vaccination pace (…), the low expected adherence during the period from June 23 to 24, 2021 (…), the need to manage vaccine stocks (…), and the fact that all ineligible recipients were subsequently eligible from July 4, 2021.”
“(…) Taking into account the mentioned circumstances (…) and the fact that more than a year has passed since the events without any further negative developments (…), it is proposed to file the current inquiry process,” states the report dated April 2023.
Regarding Maria Dulce Pinto’s appointment, a source from ULSAM mentioned earlier this month that since February 21, she has been serving as an advisor for the nursing area but is not part of the board.
With Maria Dulce Pinto’s appointment, the government fills a position that had been vacant since February, following the inauguration of the ULSAM administration.
The new board was approved during a Council of Ministers meeting on January 30.
On the following day, after it was reported that the chief nurse appointed by the government to the new ULSAM board is under an internal inquiry for alleged workplace sexual harassment, Luís Garcia offered his resignation.
The chairman of the ULSAM board is José Manuel de Araújo Cardoso, with executive members including Maria Helena Leite Ramalho as clinical director for hospital care, António Nelson Gomes Rodrigues as clinical director for primary health care, and Lúcia Silva Marinho.
One of the six positions on the ULSAM board, reserved for the representative of the 10 municipalities in the Viana do Castelo district, remains unfilled.
