António Gandra d’Almeida “has a vision for the SNS”, affirms health minister
António Gandra d’Almeida is the new CEO of the SNS ‘executive directorate’ – the management tier of the State health service, created by the last government – which put Porto hospital director Fernando Araújo in charge, only to see him resign following the change of political leadership.
Gandra d’Almeida is a Medical Lieutenant Colonel in the permanent ranks of the Portuguese Army and holds the position of Commander of the Health Group.
With a degree in Medicine from the Faculty of Medical Sciences of Universidade Nova de Lisboa, he was also director of the Northern Regional Delegation of INEM (the institute of emergency medicine) between 2021 and the end of January this year.
In a statement sent to newsrooms today, the government explains it has now received ‘the report on the activities of the Executive Directorate’ under Fernando Araújo’s leadership, which signalled the end of his mandate.
The rest of the SNS executive management team, to work under the new chief, will be announced ‘shortly’, say reports.
In its electoral programme, AD expressed its intention to “reformulate” the executive directorate, with a profound change in its organic structure and functional competences. In simple language, the new government was to make the so-called DE-SNS ‘simpler’.
As for its choice of new leader, health minister Ana Paula Martins has told reporters that Gandra d’Almeida “has a vision for the SNS”, which he clearly knows well as he has worked within it long enough.
According to a statement put out by the ministry, Gandra d’Almeida’s past involves a post-graduate degree in military health, a European Master’s in Disaster Medicine, a speciality in General Surgery, as well as Competence in Health Services Management, Emergency and Military Medicine by the Portuguese Medical Association.
“He was responsible for INEM’s Green Routes in the Centre Region from 2014 to 2019, and was in charge of setting up and coordinating the VMER – Emergency and Resuscitation Medical Vehicle in Barreiro between 2016 and 2018.
“He has been a team leader in the Emergency Department and has taken part in several multi-victim and disaster events, in a coordinating role or as an operative, in addition to international humanitarian support missions.
The 44-year-old has also “collaborated in various commissions of the Army General Staff, EMGFA and the Ministry of Health and received six commendations, awarded by members of the government and high ranks of the Armed Forces.
“The government thanks Professor Fernando Araújo and his team for their work in the SNS and wishes him every professional and personal success”, concludes the statement.
Fernando Araújo is due to be heard in parliament today over his reasons for resigning.
Source: LUSA/ SIC Notícias
