Portugal public health system is facing a major scandal. The executive director of the Portugal SNS state health service Gandra d’Almeida has resigned. He is accused of working two high paying public sector jobs at the same time. The investigation was led by SIC and it has raised serious concerns about ethics and transparency in the health sector.
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Portugal SNS Executive Director Resigns
SIC’s report claims Gandra d’Almeida held two jobs. He was the director of INEM in northern Portugal. He worked as a weekend doctor in the emergency rooms of Faro and Portimão hospitals at the same time. This arrangement lasted over two years. Agency doctors are paid much more than regular state doctors like him. Public unions have criticized this practice for years.
Holding two paid jobs in the public sector is illegal in Portugal. This situation has angered many people. Public unions believe the use of agency doctors weakens the public health system. For a senior official to engage in this practice is seen as highly unethical.
Misuse Of Authorization
Gandra d’Almeida was allowed to perform unpaid private medical work. However, this authorization did not cover paid public-sector roles. According to the Algarve Local Health Unit, he earned €298,000 from weekend shifts between 2021 and 2024.
He created a company with his wife to receive this money. Through this company, he billed hospitals for his work. He started at a rate of €50 per hour which rose to €57 in 2024.
Legal experts say this does not excuse him. Lawyer Paulo Veiga e Moura explained that using a company does not make it legal. The company was owned by him so the rules still apply.
Resignation And Political Fallout
Gandra d’Almeida quickly resigned after SIC’s report aired. Opposition parties criticized the government for allowing this to happen. They say the scandal shows deeper problems in the health system.
Since the AD government took over the health service, three executive directors have resigned in less than 10 months. Opposition parties which also include PS Socialists, Livre, PCP communists, Bloco de Esquerda, and CHEGA, have attacked the government’s handling of the situation. They say the government is failing to manage the SNS effectively.
The government tried to downplay the scandal. Officials said it is not as serious as critics claim. They promised to appoint a new director soon. However, the repeated leadership changes have damaged public confidence in the health sector.
Previous Investigations
This is not the first time Gandra d’Almeida has faced scrutiny. He is also under investigation by IGAS the General Inspectorate of Health Activities. An anonymous complaint accused him of skipping the waiting list for plastic surgery at Gaia Hospital. He denies these claims and insists everything was done properly.
Now, IGAS will also investigate the dual employment allegations. Gandra d’Almeida has called SIC’s report inaccurate. He says it contains falsehoods that have hurt his reputation. However, the evidence in the report has made it hard for him to defend his actions.
Public Reaction
The scandal has caused widespread anger. Public sector workers and citizens are frustrated. Many see this as part of larger problems in the health system.
Unions are especially critical. They argue that agency doctors create inequality. Regular state doctors work longer hours for less pay. Meanwhile, agency doctors earn much more. This unfair system has led to protests and strikes in the past.
The public has also lost trust in the health system. Many people are using social media to express their disappointment. They say this scandal shows a lack of accountability in the public sector especially in healthcare.
Challenges For Government
The AD government is under pressure. Critics say it has failed to fix problems in the health sector. Staff shortages, low funding, and poor working conditions are ongoing issues. The resignation of another executive director has added to these problems.
Opposition parties are using this scandal to attack the government. They say it shows incompetence and poor oversight. Some are calling for a complete reform of the health system. Others want stricter rules to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The government must act quickly to restore trust in the health system. The first step is to appoint a new executive director. Deeper reforms are needed to address the root causes of these problems. This includes improving transparency, accountability, and working conditions.
The future is uncertain for Gandra d’Almeida. He is facing multiple investigations. His career and reputation are now at risk. Whether he will face legal consequences remains unclear.
Gandra d’Almeida’s departure shows that there are big problems in Portugal’s health care system. People have done wrong, but the story also shows problems with the way things are run. These issues need to be fixed right away by the government. Then people will trust the health system again.
