Without presenting evidence, minister claims that senator “commanded” health units and that hospitals were handed over to the militia
The Minister of Health, Alexandre Padilha, stated that the senator (PL-RJ) “commanded” the federal hospitals and health institutes in the State of Rio de Janeiro during the administration of the former president (PL). The statement was made this Saturday (May 22, 2026) during the inauguration of the headquarters of the CDTS (Center for Technological Development in Health) of the (Fundação Oswaldo Cruz), in Rio.
Without presenting evidence, the minister stated that Flávio was the “powerful boss” of State health units. According to him, the senator decided who would be appointed to the positions, chose the directors and with whom the hospitals signed contracts. Furthermore, he declared that the pre-candidate for the Presidency “delivered” or for the militia.
“Unfortunately, these large hospitals were commanded. There was a truly powerful boss of the federal hospitals in Rio during the previous government, who controlled everything: who was appointed, who was the director, who signed the contract”he declared.
According to Padilha, Flávio – who he referred to as “the pocketnarinho”– closed ICUs (intensive care units) during the pandemic. “Imagine the cruelty of the powerful boss of Rio de Janeiro’s hospitals closing an ICU that could be saving children and adults during the pandemic”, these.
Still regarding the previous administration, the minister stated that Bolsonaro “made fun of those suffering from covid-19”. Padilha makes reference to the video in which the former president At the time of recording, Bolsonaro was criticizing the then Minister of Health, who had recommended that people only seek medical help when they experience difficulty breathing.
O Poder360 He sought out Senator Flávio Bolsonaro’s advisors via a messaging app to ask if he would like to comment on Alexandre Padilha’s statements. There was no response until the publication of this report. The text will be updated if a statement is sent to this digital newspaper.
