Investigation into death during INEM strike archived
The Public Ministry has archived the criminal investigation into the death of an 86-year-old man in Bragança during the 2024 strike by National Institute of Medical Emergency (Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica or INEM) technicians. Prosecutors found no evidence that the 48-minute delay in emergency response caused the patient's death from a heart attack.
Minimum services (serviços mínimos) are the legally required basic services that must be maintained during a strike to protect public safety—in healthcare this typically covers emergency care, critical ambulance coverage and intensive care. They matter because the INEM workers' committee admitted that late or unclear communication about which teams would be available during the end-of-2024 strike may have reduced operational capacity and confused patients; as an expat, expect limited non-urgent care during strikes and check official updates or call 112 for true emergencies.
