Portugal health minister quits after pregnant Indian woman dies; probe ordered
PTI, Sep 1, 2022, 4:49 PM IST
image Courtesy: portugal.gov.pt
Lisbon: The tragic death of a pregnant Indian woman in Portugal while being shifted between crisis-hit hospitals here has led to the resignation of the country’s health minister Marta Temido while authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
The 34-year-old Indian woman reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest during an ambulance transfer from Santa Maria hospital, which had no vacancies in the neonatology service, to another hospital in the capital.
It follows a string of incidents this summer that critics blame on a staffing crisis across Portuguese natal units, the BBC reported on Wednesday.
Temido had been the health minister since 2018 and is credited with steering Portugal through the Covid-19 pandemic.
But on Tuesday, the government said in a statement that Temido had ”realized that she no longer had the conditions to remain in office”.
Portugal’s Prime Minister Antonio Costa said the woman’s death was ”the last straw” that led to Temido’s resignation, the report quoted Portugal’s Lusa news agency as saying.
“I am grateful for all the work carried out by Dr. Marta Temido, especially in the exceptional period of combating the COVID19 pandemic. The @govpt continue the ongoing reforms with a view to strengthening the SNS and improving healthcare provided to the Portuguese,” Costa, an Indian-origin leader, said in a tweet.
His remarks came after a storm of criticism over the Portuguese government’s handling of staff shortages in maternity units, by temporarily closing some of them and forcing pregnant women to undergo risky transfers between hospitals.
Local media reported that the pregnant tourist died while being moved from Lisbon’s Santa Maria Hospital – the largest in Portugal – because its neonatology unit was full.
Her baby was delivered in good health following an emergency cesarean section, authorities said. An investigation into the woman’s death has been launched, the report said.
There have been similar incidents across Portugal in recent months – including the separate deaths of two infants whose mothers had apparently been transferred between hospitals and endured long delays, it said.
Portugal’s shortage of health staff, especially those specializing in gynecology and obstetrics, has led to the government considering hiring from abroad.
The closure of some natal units has led to overflowing maternity wards and long wait times, with opposition parties, doctors, and nurses pointing blame at the former health minister.
Speaking to local outlet RTP, the chair of the Portuguese doctors association Miguel Guimaraes said Temido quit because she did not have any way of resolving the current crisis – before going on to praise her record in office.
However, Gustavo Tato Borges, the president of Portugal’s public health association, told RTP he did not expect her resignation and was ”surprised” that she had stepped down while there are ”acute problems” in the health sector.
Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.
Top News
Related Articles More
China announces new policy measures to protect its exports from Trump’s new tariff threat
Pak government prepares for proposed protest by former PM Imran Khan’s party on Nov 24
Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi’s brother Anmol arrested in US, lodged in Iowa jail
Pakistan to launch comprehensive operation against militants in Balochistan
PM Modi arrives in Brazil to attend G20 Summit on tour’s second leg
MUST WATCH
Latest Additions
Siddaramaiah says confident of winning all three bypolls in Karnataka
Hop on! IT Minister Priyank Kharge checks out Uber Shuttle at Bengaluru Tech Summit
Actress Kasthuri released from jail, says ‘I thank those who made me raging storm’
Kidnapped for ransom in 1998, 26/11 survivor Gautam Adani faces biggest trial
AIMPLB to hold its annual general sessions in Bengaluru from November 23
Thanks for visiting Udayavani
You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.