The Minister also stated that the Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS) "has never given such an intense response in quality and quantity as now."

"We have also never had as many new users registering in the national user registry as in the last three years, more than 668,000, and naturally this adds to the health needs," Ana Paula Martins told journalists after a ceremony at the Champalimaud Foundation to mark World Health Day.

New national access system

The Minister recalled that a new national system for access to consultations and surgeries is underway, starting soon, with the waiting list for surgery managed differently, but said that the response to needs is accompanied by new needs that arise.

According to data published by the National Institute of Statistics, after the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, 2024 marked a recovery in hospital activity in Portugal, with hospitalisations exceeding 2019 levels and consultations and surgeries reaching their highest levels since 1999.

Health professionals' protest

Also questioned by journalists about the protest by health professionals and union leaders that took place today in front of the Ministry of Health, demanding answers from the Government regarding problems in the SNS, Ana Paula Martins said she was unaware of the reason, because she had not received any manifesto, but admitted that they were expressions of dissatisfaction, as they wanted, "which is normal," better health care.

Ana Paula Martins did not comment on the resignations of six heads of the emergency team at Santa Maria Hospital, following the departure of the service director, and when questioned by journalists, she assured that the loss of €100 million for the construction of the new Lisbon hospital (Todos os Santos), from the Recovery and Resilience Plan, will not affect the construction.

“Together for Health. Alongside Science”

In her speech at the ceremony to mark World Health Day, which included the awarding of medals for distinguished service from the Ministry of Health, Ana Paula Martins spoke essentially about the motto chosen for this year, “Together for Health. Alongside Science,” which appealed for teamwork, and pointed to the need to “improve the collaborative spirit” among institutions.

The Minister said that the development of clinical trial centres is essential for the country, that it is necessary to support reference centres, and that the Ministry should “cherish” the idea of ​​creating clinical-scientific careers, despite the “enormous” healthcare pressure.

He asked healthcare professionals to invest in internships, initiate collaborations with other institutions and academia, and not distance themselves from those who produce technology and innovate.

He also asked those who manage healthcare units to try to get their doctors to investigate, helping them create the conditions to do so.