"Incredulous" at cuts to the National Health Service, José Luís Carneiro calls for the resignation of the Minister of Health.

"It was with disbelief that we read today that the executive board of the National Health Service (SNS) will apply cuts in what is a vital area for the Portuguese people," declared the Secretary-General of the Socialist Party (PS), José Luís Carneiro, referring to the news that emerged this morning about possible spending cuts next year, even if this means slowing down the growing rate of surgeries in the SNS.

The Executive Board has ordered hospitals in the National Health Service (SNS) to cut spending next year, even if it means slowing the growing pace of surgeries, consultations and other healthcare, reports the newspaper “Público” this Wednesday.

The instruction was reportedly given at a meeting with leaders of local health units (ULS) a few days after the Government submitted the proposed State Budget for 2026 to the Assembly of the Republic.

The Secretary-General of the Socialist Party also stated that the Minister of Health "is not fit to continue." "In our view, someone should have the courtesy to convey to the Minister of Health that she is not fit to continue," he said in Largo do Rato, stressing that this responsibility lies with the Prime Minister.

"It gives us the impression that the Government and the Prime Minister, by placing certain issues on the agenda, are doing nothing more than distracting people's attention from what is most important to them," he stressed.

José Luís Carneiro recalled that during the summer the Socialist Party had already considered it "inconceivable that pregnant women would have to travel from place to place to give birth," a reality that seems to have become "a new normal," but "it is not." The Secretary-General considers it unacceptable that a "mother who wants to go to a hospital to give birth has no predictability and security" to do so.

"For the Socialist Party, it was clear that we could not remain silent; we must show our indignation and the political fight we will wage to defend the State and the Government's priority of investment in what is the priority area for the lives of Portuguese men and women," he declared.