The government has not authorized the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM) to fill its vacancies for nurses, stated Rui Marroni, a union leader, adding that an urgent meeting has been requested with the relevant authorities.
The shortage of nurses at the institute, which coordinates pre-hospital emergency services, has led to a high volume of overtime work because the government continues to deny additional hires, despite 34 available positions remaining unfilled.
The leader of the SEP warned that there is a lack of nurses for the immediate life support ambulances, which are linked to basic emergency services and permanent care, as well as for the Urgent Patient Care Centers (CODU).
The union noted that the shortage of nurses affects the various operational units of INEM, which undermines both the operation of the Immediate Life Support (SIV) ambulances and the establishment of new emergency response means.
Rui Marroni highlighted the case of the SIV in Estremoz, Évora district, which was non-operational for a few hours in June due to a lack of nurses, a situation that he said also occurs in other locations.
“Indeed, the minister not only doesn’t resolve the issues but exacerbates them by assuming the responsibilities. She claimed she would dedicate 70% of her time to INEM, yet the time spent has not been productive as problems remain unresolved and are worsening,” lamented Rui Marroni.
The union leader cited the example of “non-payment for overtime work for nurses, which dragged on for many months,” because Minister Ana Paula Martins “removed decision-making power from the institute’s board of directors.”
“Previously, these decisions were made by the board, but the minister assumed responsibility, sidelined the Secretary of State, and withdrew the board’s powers, significantly worsening the situation and creating great instability,” Rui Marroni noted.
In November, Ana Paula Martins decided that INEM would be directly under her control, stating that it was a “significant priority” due to the social alarm generated by the pre-hospital emergency technicians’ strike.
The minister intends to proceed with the “restructuring” of INEM, with the government’s program aiming to transform it into a National Medical Emergency Authority to ensure “effective, efficient, and sustainable services.”
The document outlines changes in its legal nature, competencies and duties, funding model, budgetary and management control, operational model, and the functional profile and competencies of its human resources.
Earlier this year, an independent technical committee was established to assess INEM’s functioning and will propose an organizational model for the institute.
