Ana Paula Martins, currently being heard by the Health Committee on various issues, including the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM), stated that “things are really changing” and that the report from the Independent Technical Committee appointed to work on the so-called “restructuring of INEM” will provide some answers.
Regarding the IGF report, the minister noted that it contained very important information, particularly about the lack of resources at INEM: “From 2021 to 2023, there was a decrease in positions [for Pre-Hospital Emergency Technicians] due to a mandate from the Central Administration of Health Services to reduce the staff chart by 308 positions.”
“And this mandate was approved in an April 2023 order by the Secretary of State for Health,” she added.
She also mentioned that for deeper decisions regarding INEM, the report from the Independent Technical Committee is needed and that the government will have a proposal for INEM’s Organic Law by the end of the year.
She emphasized INEM’s lack of human resources — “today we still have more than 700 positions unoccupied” — and stated that without the overtime worked by current employees, “we would not have emergency services.”
Regarding INEM’s financial situation, the minister referenced the General Inspectorate of Finances report, which indicates that from 2021 to 2024, the institute’s performance “was influenced by the allocation of balances (…) to the tune of 126 million euros, with a gradual deterioration of the economic-financial situation, with a slight improvement in 2024.”
Ana Paula Martins also stressed the need to “significantly improve coordination with civil protection,” admitting, in some areas, sharing of resources and the possibility of advancing program contracts with fire departments.
