The Minister of Health, Ana Paula Martins, told Parliament the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS) had a negative balance of €1.035 billion and a debt to external suppliers of €1.51 billion, while waiting lists and numbers without a family doctor have risen. The report says more consultations and surgeries are being done but financial and staffing pressures persist, with particular strain in some specialties and emergency care. Residents relying on public care should expect continued delays as authorities address funding and staffing gaps.
SNS posts €1.035bn deficit; supplier debt €1.51bn
Friday, 27 February 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
Ana Paula Martins is Portugal's Health Minister (Ministra da Saúde), and in this story she expressed concern about 'untruths' circulating regarding the National Health Service. She also said that waiting times for initial assessments during the current flu season have fallen this year, a point meant to reassure patients relying on public care.
