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 a Portuguese pharmacist and politician who has served as the Minister of Health in Portugal since April 2024. A member of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), she was reappointed to the position in the second government of Prime Minister Luís Montenegro in June 2025.
Professional Background
Pharmaceutical Leadership: She served as the President of the Order of Pharmacists (Bastonária da Ordem dos Farmacêuticos) from 2016 to 2022.
Hospital Management: She was the President of the Board of Directors of Hospital de Santa Maria (CHULN) in Lisbon from December 2022 to January 2024.
Academic Work: She holds a PhD in Clinical Pharmacy and has been an assistant professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Lisbon for over 20 years.
Political Career
Government Role: As Minister of Health, she has overseen the implementation of the "SNS Emergency Plan" and recently addressed issues such as INEM staffing and public-private partnerships in healthcare.
Party Leadership: She served as Vice President of the PSD under Rui Rio (2021–2022).
Parliament: She was elected as a member of the Assembly of the Republic representing the Lisbon constituency in 2024.
