The parliamentary leader, Eurico Brilhante Dias, and the coordinator for the socialist bench in the Defense Commission, Luís Dias, have raised issues regarding the country’s emergency medical air transport services. A year ago, the Health Minister criticized INEM for not launching a public tender to acquire these services and informed parliament about alternative discussions with the Ministry of Defense involving the Portuguese Air Force (FAP).
The Socialist Party reminds that they requested a hearing with Defense Minister Nuno Melo following contradictory positions between the Health Ministry, INEM, and the Ministry of Defense about involving the Armed Forces in emergency medical air transport. This request, initially approved but contested for urgency by PSD, CDS-PP, Chega, and IL, only took place in October, a timing now deemed essential by PS.
They criticize the government’s decision not to timely open the bidding for emergency medical air transport services, relying instead on FAP despite equipment limitations. These limitations include the inability of some FAP helicopters to land at hospital helipads and restrictions on Koala models due to their single-engine status, which doesn’t meet European standards for medical emergencies requiring twin-engine helicopters.
While acknowledging the Air Force’s role in civilian aid missions, PS argues that Minister Melo’s comparisons to medical transports in Madeira and the Azores do not align with the specific requirements needed by INEM for emergency medical helitransport.
PS demands clarity on the conditions under which FAP supports INEM, including any imposed requirements, available resources, and potential shifts from other missions. They argue these explanations are necessary due to the lack of clarity provided by the Defense Minister, prompting a call for a hearing with the Air Force Chief of Staff, João Cartaxo Alves.
Recently, the government has temporarily relied on the Air Force for emergency medical transportation due to the service provider designated in a contract with INEM failing to start operations by July 1.
