Portugal news explained

The Lisboeta

Almada-Seixal abortion services face temporary suspension

Tuesday, 18 August 2026AI summary
📍 Almada🩺 Health🏛️ Government#patient-care#medical-services#healthcare
Almada-Seixal abortion services face temporary suspension
Photo: Correio da Manhã

The Garcia de Orta Hospital has temporarily suspended voluntary pregnancy termination services, prompting the government to mandate that hospitals must guarantee access to these procedures or cover costs at other facilities. An inspection by the General Inspectorate of Health Activities (IGAS) identified structural and operational planning failures within the Almada-Seixal Local Health Unit. The Left Bloc (BE) has requested an urgent hearing with Health Minister Ana Paula Martins to address the service disruption.

Update: PS demands answers on suspended abortion services

The Socialist Party (PS) has formally questioned the government regarding the specific reasons for the service suspension at the Almada hospital. The party is demanding an urgent reinforcement of resources to ensure that women seeking these services receive timely care.

Context & Explainers

IGAS is the Inspectorate-General for Health Activities (Inspeção-Geral das Atividades em Saúde or IGAS), the government body that inspects and audits public and private health services, investigates complaints and can recommend sanctions or changes. After reported failures in emergency care, IGAS can open inquiries, publish findings and advise the Ministry or the SNS on corrective measures; residents and patients can also file complaints that IGAS may investigate.

Ana Paula Martins

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.

Health cards are private membership or discount schemes sold by companies that offer access to consultations, tests or reduced fees at private clinics; they are not the public health service. The Socialist Party (Partido Socialista or PS) has proposed regulation to increase transparency and protect consumers from misleading marketing or unexpected charges.

7 sources

Continue reading

View 2026-08-18 editionHealth newsGovernment newsAlmada news