In February, the Portuguese Firefighters League (LBP) and the National Institute of Medical Emergencies (INEM) signed an agreement establishing new subsidies for fire departments with emergency medical ambulances. These departments now receive 8,760 euros monthly, retroactive to January, marking an increase of 2,000 euros.
This week, the Institute sent a letter to humanitarian associations with INEM ambulances, warning of potential delays in the monthly payment of these subsidies.
In the letter accessed today, INEM explains that its revenue comes from a levy on insurance premiums, designed to “ensure the sustainability of the Integrated Medical Emergency System (SIEM)” and to enable “the maintenance of operational means, human resource qualification, and timely response to the population’s needs.”
“However, it is important to note that the collection of this revenue does not depend solely on INEM, which means it is not always possible to ensure the necessary funds for timely payment to SIEM partners,” states the letter signed by the coordinator of INEM’s Planning and Management Control Office.
According to the institute, “this issue has been exacerbated by the significant increase in subsidy amounts due to the new memorandum of understanding in effect.”
INEM assures that it is committed to making “every effort to ensure payments within the established timelines,” but “given the limitations,” there may be instances where this goal cannot be precisely met.
Contacted for statements, the president of the Portuguese Firefighters League confirmed the delay in payment, specifying that the firefighters received the subsidy today that was due on April 10.
António Nunes criticized INEM for sending this letter to the fire departments without informing the LBP, given that the two entities are partners and a monthly meeting of the permanent monitoring group of the agreement signed in February is scheduled for next Monday.
The official added that INEM only informed the League that it would send a letter to the humanitarian associations regarding the subsidy payment delay.
“In a treacherous way, INEM is trying to justify situations that should be addressed within the monitoring group,” he said, emphasizing that there is an agreement approved by the Minister of Health that is not being fulfilled.
António Nunes argued that INEM must tell the Ministry of Health that additional budget is needed to comply with the agreement, which “is not clandestine.”
