In statements to Lusa on the sidelines of a meeting with leaders of the Algarve delegation of INEM, in Loulé, José Manuel Pureza, considered that, if it goes ahead, the measure is "pure irresponsibility", even more so in the only region of the country that, for three months, triples its resident population.

"[...], Therefore, it is pure irresponsibility to end this service, to take away its autonomy, to take away its own existence, it makes no sense, it is pure irresponsibility," stressed the coordinator of the BE, asking the Minister of Health, Ana Paula Martins, to clarify what will happen.

The new building for the Algarve regional delegation of INEM, representing an investment of approximately two million euros, was inaugurated in May 2024, in a ceremony attended by a government official.

Single call centre

The Independent Technical Commission (CTI) for the restructuring of INEM proposed the creation of a single call centre combining the Urgent Patient Guidance Centre (CODU) and SNS24, with three regional centres in Lisbon, Porto and Coimbra.

Thus, in light of this commission's opinion, the Algarve regional delegation would be excluded from the organisational chart of the future Public Emergency Medical and Pre-Hospital Service within the scope of the proposed restructuring of the Emergency Medical Service.

“This institution [INEM] had a moment, which was in 2012, at the time of the ‘troika’, when its autonomy was lost, it recovered it in 2023 and now the report of the Independent Technical Commission […] ignores the existence of this service in the Algarve and, therefore, what results from this report seems to be a return to a situation in which INEM Algarve did not exist autonomously,” he stated.

“Absolutely unacceptable”

Considering that the possible extinction of the INEM delegation in the Algarve is “absolutely unacceptable”, José Manuel Pureza added that the measure would be a “very strong blow” to the health sector in the region, which is already struggling with structural problems.

“[…] We know very well that the promise of the Algarve Hospital is a promise that is always postponed, on the other hand, even the medical emergency […] faces a lack of resources in existing hospital establishments in this part of the country and, therefore, people often have to be sent to Lisbon to be able to receive the necessary clinical care and, therefore, there is a large ‘deficit’ in provision, in guarantee, in security, there it is, in the area of ​​health, in this territory of the country,” he stressed.

An issue that needs to be resolved

For the BE coordinator, this is a “national policy issue that needs to be resolved with courage,” and the party will do “what it has to do to make that happen,” although there has not yet been any formal announcement regarding the extinction of this service.

“Therefore, the Bloco is here to tell the Minister of Health not to dare to follow what is stated in the report, because that is an attack against the safety of people in the Algarve, against their right to health, it cannot be,” he argued.

Appeal to the Minister of Health

José Manuel Pureza took the opportunity to ask the Minister of Health to clarify quickly what will be done regarding the Algarve delegation of the INEM (National Institute of Medical Emergency), as this situation cannot be left in limbo.

“[...] It is quite certain that the restructuring of the national emergency medical service must take the time it needs to take so that things are done thoughtfully and maturely, but there is, let's say, a legitimately created alarm in the population of Rio Grande do Sul that needs to be appeased quickly,” he concluded.

The INEM regional building in Loulé includes a training centre, the Urgent Patient Guidance Centre (CODU), regional coordination and nursing offices, logistical support, and operational facilities.

The building is part of the Loulé Civil Security and Protection Citadel, where the Municipal Fire Department headquarters, the Regional Emergency and Civil Protection Command (CREPC), and the municipal heliport, one of the bases for INEM helicopters, are concentrated.