The leader of Chega, André Ventura, stated on Friday, June 27, that the Minister of Health, Ana Paula Martins, “should not have joined this Government,” as it was already known that she had “poorly managed the Health services.”
“If the Minister of Health was so quick to say she would accept this political responsibility, what we hope now is that there will be consequences and that she will face those political consequences. But this isn’t new. The Minister of Health should not have joined this Government because we already knew she had these responsibilities and had poorly managed the Health services,” André Ventura remarked regarding the minister’s refusal to resign, despite the Inspectorate-General of Health Activities (IGAS) revealing that the death of a 53-year-old man on November 4, 2024, could have been avoided if he had received timely and reasonable help.
According to the Chega leader, it is also clear that Luís Montenegro bears responsibility in the case.
“The Prime Minister decided to reappoint her. Therefore, there is a responsibility here that also belongs to the Prime Minister, not only in covering these deaths, by leaving them without accountability, but also in the sense that he insists on a profile of poor management that has already been confirmed,” the deputy added.
In statements made today from the Assembly of the Republic, André Ventura announced that the party will “support all calls to Parliament of the Minister and the Government” and will “ensure that this scrutiny is conducted, whether through an inquiry or through a Committee of Inquiry.”
André Ventura also promises that Chega will not only support the proposal of Iniciativa Liberal (IL) for a Committee of Inquiry but will be “an active part of the investigation.”
Death of a 53-year-old man could have been avoided
It should be noted that the Socialist Party (PS) also seeks an urgent hearing with the Minister of Health, Ana Paula Martins, after the IGAS report was made public.
IGAS revealed on Wednesday that the death of a 53-year-old man on November 4, 2024, could have been avoided if he had received timely and adequate assistance.
“It was concluded that the user’s death could have been avoided if there had been assistance, within a reasonable time, that made it possible to evacuate the victim through a Coronary Green Lane to one of the nearest hospitals, where he could have undergone coronary angioplasty in one of the respective hemodynamic units,” the general inspection stated in a release.
According to IGAS, the conclusions of the inquiry were sent to INEM so that the board of directors could decide on initiating disciplinary proceedings against a pre-hospital emergency technician, due to indications of misconduct in providing assistance to the victim, but also regarding the continuation of services by a doctor, because of “the seriousness of the actions taken in providing assistance to the victim.”
This case dates back to November 4, 2024, the day when two strikes were taking place simultaneously – one by pre-hospital emergency technicians for overtime and another by public administration.
The general inspection opened multiple inquiries to determine the potential link between 12 deaths and the alleged delays in the Urgent Patients Guidance Center (CODU) of INEM during the strike.
INEM assured Lusa that it will follow the recommendations of the Inspectorate-General of Health Activities (IGAS). “Given the indications, a disciplinary process will be opened to clarify the situation and take proportional measures,” they affirmed.
