Health Minister Ana Paula Martins announced that Portugal's Local Health Units (Unidades Locais de Saúde or ULS) face a shortage of approximately 850 to 870 nurses. The minister also warned that emergency departments in the Lisbon and Tagus Valley region, particularly at Amadora-Sintra Hospital, will face significant pressure in the coming weeks.
Health Minister warns of emergency department pressure
Tuesday, 1 September 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.
6 sources
- About 850 nurses are missing from Local Health Unitscmjornal.pt ·
- Approximately 850 nurses needed for Local Health Unitscnnportugal.iol.pt ·
- Local Health Units need up to 870 nurses, confirms Health Ministerdn.pt ·
- Around 850 nurses needed for Local Health Units, says ministerpublico.pt ·
- Amadora-Sintra: emergency department 'most overloaded in the country'observador.pt ·
- Minister admits "great pressure" in Lisbon and Tagus Valley emergency departments over the coming weeksrtp.pt ·
