The Health Minister highlighted an unusually high number of vacancies in the specialty appointments for new doctors, particularly in obstetrics and gynecology as well as anesthesiology. During a vaccination campaign at a pharmacy in Porto Salvo, Oeiras, on Wednesday, Ana Paula Martins downplayed the fact that almost 500 open positions remained unfilled, amidst growing concerns about the state of the National Health Service (SNS) and the overall health sector.
Nevertheless, the minister noted a “positive sign”: “we continue to have many young doctors opting to pursue their specialty,” she observed. In total, 1,862 of the 2,331 available positions were filled, according to the Ordem dos Médicos (OM).
The minister, however, acknowledged two ongoing issues: the lack of interest among new doctors in internal medicine and general and family medicine. “Our hospitals greatly need doctors specialized in internal medicine”: It is regarded as “the quintessential hospital medicine,” remarked Ana Paula Martins, emphasizing that for over a decade there has been a declining capacity to respond in this domain.
She added that the situation is “very concerning for the SNS and the healthcare system overall.” According to the OM’s analysis, internal medicine, seen as a “fundamental pillar of hospitals,” had only 52% of its 204 available positions filled.
General and family medicine, responsible for providing primary care services at health centers, topped the list of specialties with the most vacancies, with 229 positions, accounting for one-third of all roles offered in this year’s competition.
“We have data showing that certain regions of the country… Lisbon and Vale do Tejo is clearly an area less preferred by young doctors for their residency, as well as newly qualified specialists,” stated Ana Paula Martins. “This is clearly related to the cost of living, housing, and transportation difficulties,” she added.
The government has been opening “shortage positions” to try to mitigate the lack of professionals in this specialty, though they “have not achieved the expected outcome,” she stressed.
“What young doctors tell us, in general and family medicine, is that they need different flexibility—they want flexibility in terms of work organization—and we are in dialogue,” the minister admitted, asserting that “it is absolutely crucial for general and family medicine to succeed.”
20% of specialty positions remain unfilled this year
The OM’s report, published on November 30, concluded that the unfilled 20% of positions indicates the “structural crisis” within the SNS.
“It is evident that the SNS faces a recruitment crisis in essential specialties, worsening each year. The regions of Lisbon and Vale do Tejo and the North are the most affected,” it emphasized.
The president of the Ordem’s National Council of Medical Interns considers that the competition results “reinforce the red card given by young doctors to the attractiveness of medical residency in the SNS.”
The Ordem dos Médicos (OM) warned today that the 20% of unfilled positions in the internship contest illustrate the “structural crisis” evident in essential specialties for the National Health Service (SNS).
Lusa | 18:51 – 30/11/2025
