IGAS – general inspectorate of health activities – opens inquiry
The General Inspectorate of Health Activities (IGAS) has opened an investigation into the rising number of deaths reported in recent days due to alleged delays in INEM emergency response.
IGAS has told Lusa that the opening of the investigation was determined yesterday.
The process will be focusing on “situations reported in recent days about possible delays in the service provided by the Urgent Patient Guidance Center (CODU) of the National Institute of Medical Emergency,” that have resulted in patients’ deaths
Failings in the 112 service response and in referral to the CODUs of the National Institute for Medical Emergencies (INEM) – exacerbated by the strike by the Pre-Hospital Emergency Technicians (which has since been called off) – have been doggedly followed by the nation’s press, which has brought the fatality tally up to eight as of today.
Pre-hospital emergency technicians began an overtime strike on October 30 (to demand a career review and better pay conditions), but the trials and tribulations affecting the service go back months, if not years.
As it is, the strike was suspended yesterday after the union signed a negotiating protocol with the Ministry of Health. This has helped when it comes to emergency calls left on hold, but it is not ‘the solution’, explains syndicate STEPH, which points to a shortfall of around 800 members of staff.
Prime minister Luís Montenegro has acknowledged the chronic lack of manpower at INEM, guaranteeing that the government will now work at boosting numbers with recruitment campaigns.
Source material: LUSA
