Waiting for the results of the investigations into the failures at INEM, the Minister of Health is unable to remove the pressure. After the opposition demanded changes to the health team, yesterday, Luís Marques Mendes criticized the “amateurism” with which the situation was handled and said that the minister is on schedule.
The Minister of Health, Ana Paula Martins, did not clarify whether the Government is planning the privatization of INEM, a possibility raised by the Socialist Party. Despite growing political pressure and public opinion, the minister avoided giving a direct response to the matter. SIC commentator, criticized the way the situation has been managed, with “amateurism” on the part of a minister who is “on deadline”.
With the prime minister traveling to Brazil for the G20 Summit, the minister maintained the public agenda, but criticism intensified. During a visit to the Hospital de Santana, in Parede, Ana Paula Martins reaffirmed that she has already spoken about the topic in Parliament and awaits the conclusions of the investigations conducted by the General Inspection of Health Activities (IGAS) and the Public Ministry. However, he was unable to take his focus off the subject.
While the president of INEM prepares to be heard in Parliament, the minister inaugurated a new wing at Hospital de Santana and signed a protocol with Santa Casa da Misericórdia to increase the number of family doctors in Lisbon, a measure she had already announced in last week.
However, the absence of a public agenda by the Secretary of State for Health Management, Cristina Vaz Tomé, has further fueled speculation about changes in the ministerial team.
