INEM investigates fatal delay in emergency medical response
The National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM) is investigating the death of a 73-year-old woman in Santarém after a reported 29-minute delay in emergency assistance. Despite the patient suffering from breathing difficulties, the family was allegedly advised to transport her to the hospital themselves. The family has since initiated legal action regarding the incident.
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.
