During a national protest by local administration and business sector workers in Lisbon, Paulo Raimundo addressed the recent government announcement that the Air Force would ensure emergency medical transport starting next Tuesday.
Raimundo questioned why helicopters are not already in operation, asking, “Why aren’t the helicopters operational? That’s the question to ask, not who’s taking over now. What led to this situation?”
The PCP Secretary-General emphasized the need for answers, noting, “It’s not about finding half-measures or having half conversations while people’s lives are completely sidelined.”
He pressed further, “Why aren’t there resources for rescue operations? Why are there no working conditions for emergency professionals? These are the questions, not shifting responsibility to the Air Force, which will then say they lack resources, and it gets pushed back to the Ministry. This cycle continues,” he criticized.
Raimundo accused the government of “speaking about a reality that doesn’t exist,” highlighting that people are “struggling” and have the right to better salaries, careers, and professional evaluations.
“This is what needs answering, not a game of responsibility that entertains commentary but solves nothing in people’s lives,” he asserted.
Regarding the Health Minister’s refusal to resign despite the Health and Activities Inspection General finding that a death during the INEM strike in November 2024 could have been prevented, Raimundo said Ana Paula Martins’ stance is not unprecedented.
Raimundo noted that demanding the minister’s resignation might not change anything if the policy remains the same.
“Whether the minister resigns or not, does it solve any issue within the SNS? Does it address the ongoing dismantling process of the SNS? It doesn’t,” he stated.
The PCP leader argued that the solution isn’t “to dismiss ministers.”
“We need to change the current policy direction and open a new path that resolves people’s issues. That’s the question,” he maintained.
Meanwhile, Livre MP Filipa Pinto also attended the protest, commenting on the decision to use the Air Force for emergency medical transport over the summer.
Pinto expressed the need for “a fundamental policy and a robust support structure” rather than “small patches to fix serious issues in providing assistance to the population.”
On Thursday, the Ministries of Health and National Defense announced that starting next Tuesday, the Air Force’s aircraft and teams would handle aerial emergency medical transportation until the INEM’s public tender receives approval from the Court of Auditors.
The Health Minister acknowledged on Wednesday that there were challenges in making emergency medical helicopters available from July 1 in Portugal, but anticipated these would be resolved by today.
