A day after a 36-year-old woman died early Friday morning at the Hospital Fernando da Fonseca (known as Amadora-Sintra), reactions have emerged, particularly from political leaders who have previously criticized the Minister of Health since Luís Montenegro’s administration.
The focus is on the leaders of the two largest opposition parties: PS and Chega.
The first to comment was the socialist José Luís Carneiro, stating, “the primary responsibility will always be the prime minister’s.”
According to the PS secretary-general, the main culprit is not Minister Ana Paula Martins but Luís Montenegro: “the first and last responsibility will always lie with the prime minister,” as he is the “one responsible for forming the government” and for “failing to deliver on the promises” he made.
“Unlike others, we do not exploit tragedies for political purposes. Nonetheless, all responsibilities need to be clarified, and the primary responsibility lies with the prime minister. Because he was the one who promised solutions, hence he must be held accountable for how he is exercising his responsibilities,” Carneiro stated during a visit to a comic book festival in Amadora.
This week, José Luís Carneiro had already urged Luís Montenegro to dismiss the Minister of Health, arguing that Ana Paula Martins no longer has the political authority to continue in office. The socialist leader criticized the government’s actions in the Health sector following reports of funding cuts.
A pregnant woman 38 weeks along died on Friday after visiting the Amadora-Sintra hospital on Wednesday for a consultation, during which hypertension was detected.
Andrea Pinto with Lusa | 12:26 – 31/10/2025
The president of Chega also responded to the news of the pregnant woman’s death at Amadora-Sintra. Contrary to José Luís Carneiro, André Ventura called for the minister’s resignation, accusing Luís Montenegro of wanting to keep Ana Paula Martins “as a lightning rod to protect himself.”
“When the government deflects, it suggests two things: the prime minister wants to retain this health minister to have a fall guy, someone who is always the target to protect himself. Secondly, to evade government responsibilities, which a government should not do, but instead must take responsibility and ensure improvement,” defended the Chega leader.
André Ventura sees this as another case that clearly shows “disarray” in Health, further criticizing Ana Paula Martins’s continued presence in office without taking political responsibility.
“It seems to the minister that regardless of who dies or lacks care or resources, the government never takes responsibility, and the minister believes she can continue her work without ever assuming responsibility,” Ventura stated during a visit to a company in Montijo.
The Chega leader suggested today that the prime minister wants to keep the health minister “as a lightning rod to protect himself” and accused him of shirking his governing responsibilities.
Lusa | 18:32 – 31/10/2025
On the same day, during a budget proposal discussion for the next year, Ana Paula Martins also commented on the issue. When questioned by Chega’s deputy Marta Silva on the case and reminded that one of her predecessors, Marta Temido, resigned after a similar incident, the minister responded: “No, I’m not resigning.”
The case has triggered the initiation of three investigations: an internal inquiry by ULS Amadora-Sintra, one by IGAS, and a final one by the Public Ministry.
It’s worth noting that the situation involves the death of a 36-year-old woman from Guinea-Bissau, living in Portugal, who died in the early hours on Friday, pregnant at 38 weeks.
“The pregnant woman was in cardiorespiratory arrest upon entering the hospital. Therefore, the action taken was advanced life support, and the baby was extracted as soon as possible and very quickly,” explained Diogo Bruno, director of the obstetric and gynecological emergency service at Amadora-Sintra hospital.
On Wednesday, the woman had already visited Amadora-Sintra “asymptomatic” for a routine consultation, during which mild hypertension was identified.
In a statement, this ULS mentioned that the woman was internally referred to Obstetric Emergency, where after performing various diagnostic tests, she was discharged with instructions for admission at 39 weeks gestation.
It is currently known that after a cesarean, the baby was saved but remains in serious condition at the hospital.
According to the Director of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Amadora-Sintra, the woman who died had recently arrived in Portugal. The baby is in Intensive Care, with a reserved prognosis.
Natacha Nunes Costa | 13:04 – 31/10/2025
