Latest news and stories about inem in Portugal for expats and residents.
CNN Portugal spent time inside CODU, INEM’s medical call centre in Lisbon and found a centre under sustained pressure where high call volumes demand rapid, accurate triage and careful deployment of ambulances and other rescue resources. The report examines how operators prioritise calls, the protocols guiding decision-making, and the operational strain of matching limited resources to urgent needs.
Messages reveal that professionals were allegedly asked to be available for overtime and then refuse to extend their shifts under the pretext of the strike. The complaint reached the Parliamentary Committee of Inquiry. The union refutes the accusations and is considering legal action.
The Portuguese Firefighters League confirmed that the overdue debt of the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM) was paid in full today.
The PS claims the PSD is trying to 'hide' the former Secretary of State for Health Management, while Chega describes the move as 'dilatory tactics'. The chief of staff states that they also did not receive a strike notice.
This is the highest figure in the last 12 years.
The Portuguese Firefighters League reports delays of approximately 20 million euros. INEM justifies this with a lack of budget. The Minister of Internal Administration states that emergency services for the Portuguese people are not at risk.
At issue is a 20 million euro debt that led the Portuguese Firefighters League to terminate the cooperation agreement signed in 2025 with INEM for the provision of pre-hospital emergency services.
The former Minister of Health says the diversion of funds was for a “greater need, without which there would be no need for INEM because we would all be dead,” referring to the pandemic.
Marta Temido alluded to the surgical strike by nurses in 2018, for which she requested an opinion from the PGR's Advisory Council, which deemed it “illegal”.
At issue is the period during which Gulf Med Aviation Services ensured the emergency medical air transport operation under a direct award contract signed with INEM.
Luís Meira contradicted the Health Minister's statements, claiming to have sent at least two resolution proposals to the Council of Ministers. He also stated that he contacted the Air Force, which refused to collaborate due to a lack of resources and pilots.
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The Pre-Hospital Emergency Technicians Union regrets the absence of Luís Cabral, who was just a few metres away from the venue.
The decision follows multiple complaints that were submitted to the Inspector‑General of Health. Luís Cabral, originally from the Azores, arrived in Lisbon to take up his post as president of INEM at the end of last year.
The acquisition of 163 ambulances, 34 VMER emergency medical response vehicles and 78 other vehicles — 275 vehicles in total — was announced in Parliament by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro.
The Shared Services Entity of the Public Administration (ESPAP) has awarded the procurement of 275 vehicles for INEM to three economic operators, following the public tender launched last year, a government source told Lusa today.
The Socialists, who describe the announcement of the purchase of INEM ambulances as “misleading” and “a sign of this government's inaction”, justify their request for the documents by citing the “urgency of obtaining answers”.
The Socialist Party parliamentary group wants access to all documents relating to the procurement process for ambulances for INEM, citing the “opacity of the information shared”, according to a motion submitted today.
Commander Paulo Santos also says that the volunteer firefighters “gave a sign that, when they want, things get done”.
Health policy expert Rui Nunes believes Portugal has 'a good health system and excellent professionals', but that 'care integration and coordination simply do not work'. Regarding doubts raised by Civil Protection about the 'legality' of the support task force for INEM carried out by the firefighters, he says it is not 'appropriate to call into question an attempt at a solution to save lives'.
Gonçalo Ribeiro Telles criticises Ana Paula Martins's stance following three deaths in less than 48 hours after delays in emergency response. “It is astonishing that this minister does not give an explanation to the Portuguese after what has happened in recent days, especially after saying she would dedicate more than half of her time to INEM,” emphasises the CNN Portugal commentator.
Filipe Santos Costa also criticises the Government's lack of proactivity in the health sector and its inability to resolve problems in light of recent controversies involving INEM and the deaths of three people in less than two days. Regarding Luís Montenegro's announcement about the purchase of 275 new vehicles for the emergency service, the CNN Portugal commentator points out that the ambulances “have been planned since 2023 and will arrive when they were due to arrive”, so “there is no decision here”.
At 22:00, the President of the Republic requested rapid clarification about three fatalities in which Portugal’s national emergency medical service (INEM) did not provide aid; authorities are expected to explain what occurred.
The first fortnightly debate in Parliament of 2026 took place this Thursday, with the SNS (National Health Service) and the Health Minister in the spotlight. The opposition questioned the Government about deaths allegedly linked to delays at INEM (the national emergency medical service). Luís Montenegro refused to let the minister fall and assumed political responsibility.
The Prime Minister says the Minister of Health will remain in post and announces 'the largest investment in the last decade' for INEM (National Institute of Medical Emergency). He also insists: 'It is incorrect to say that the SNS (Portugal's National Health Service) is collapsing.'
At 18:00, Montenegro announced that 275 new vehicles will be provided to INEM (Portugal's National Institute of Medical Emergency) to strengthen emergency response capacity.
Catarina Guerreiro, executive editor of CNN Portugal, stresses that “it became clear in all the reports [carried out by IGAS] that there are delays in emergency medical services” in Portugal.
A man died in Seixal after waiting three hours for emergency services that should have arrived within one hour.
A spat over “facilitism” between Marques Mendes and Gouveia e Melo; Seguro and Cotrim in a “white” suit with no trace of mud; Ventura putting on a “show”. And also the INEM case, involving problems with stretchers.
Parliamentary parties reacted to the death of a man in Seixal and asked the Health Minister for explanations. Chega also wants to question the SNS executive director and the president of INEM.
