OE2026: Association of Clinical Laboratories warns that cuts to the National Health Service compromise its sustainability.

The National Association of Clinical Laboratories (ANL) warned that cuts to the National Health Service (SNS) could compromise the sustainability of a network that provides approximately 101 million tests per year to around 14 million users.

The same association highlights the "inconsistencies" foreseen in the proposed State Budget for 2026 (OE2026), within the scope of the public response in health matters. ANL states that although the Budget Report expressly states that the private and social sectors "cannot be ignored in the management of public provision," the document also foresees "a 10.1% reduction in expenditure on the acquisition of goods and provision of services" to the National Health Service (SNS).

“We emphasize that this measure compromises the sustainability of a network that provides approximately 101 million examinations per year to around 14 million users, through 3,300 access points distributed throughout the country. This is the largest healthcare infrastructure in Portugal, and an essential pillar of the National Health Service itself,” says the association.

This comes after the newspaper “ Público ” reported on Wednesday that the executive board of the National Health Service (SNS) had instructed hospitals to cut spending, even if it meant slowing down the pace of surgeries, consultations and other healthcare services.

The news has already prompted a reaction from the leader of the Socialist Party, José Luís Carneiro. On Wednesday, the socialist leader expressed his disbelief at the news that the executive board of the National Health Service (SNS) would proceed with cuts in a "vital area" for the Portuguese people. Faced with this possibility, the socialist challenged the Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, to dismiss the Minister of Health, Ana Paula Martins.

The prime minister, however, denied any kind of cuts. "There is no directive to cut anything whatsoever," the leader said in statements to the media on Wednesday.

Luís Montenegro stated that he has guidelines indicating that there "should be no reduction" in service or access to healthcare services. However, the head of the executive branch also mentioned guidelines aimed at being "more efficient" and "further optimizing resources."

The Prime Minister also rejected the request for the resignation of the Minister of Health made by the Socialist leader. "If [the Minister of Health] was not capable, she wouldn't be in the Government," the Prime Minister stated in declarations to the media.

Association highlights the importance of analyses.

“The areas of clinical analysis and anatomical pathology are crucial at all stages of the healthcare chain, from prevention and screening, through objective confirmation of diagnosis and therapeutic planning, to continuous monitoring of treatments. In this context, several international and national studies converge on the recognition that 70% to 80% of clinical decisions depend directly on laboratory results, and that 95% of healthcare pathways involve clinical pathology or anatomical pathology examinations,” warns ANL.

The association further states that, despite this, the contracted network "continues to operate with outdated price lists" for more than a decade and, in some cases, "subject to additional administrative cuts, causing a real erosion of more than 50% of the value paid per act, compared to accumulated inflation and the increase" in the Guaranteed Minimum Monthly Remuneration.

According to ANL, maintaining this situation "contradicts" the priorities of prevention and early diagnosis on the part of the SNS (National Health Service), and "jeopardizes the sustainability" of a national diagnostic network that directly employs more than eight thousand people, guarantees proximity, cohesion, territorial equity, and access to healthcare within a clinically acceptable timeframe.

“The contracted sector is an integral part of the National Health Service (SNS) and cannot continue to be penalized by inappropriate decisions. Recognizing its importance implies guaranteeing real conditions for sustainability, through the updating of the tables of contracted procedures and compliance with the legal regime of agreements. Without these measures, the 2026 State Budget and the health policy, which continues to disregard the contracted sector, will compromise the sustainability of a network responsible for guaranteeing diagnoses essential to the health of citizens,” said the Director-General of ANL, Nuno Marques.

The association is appealing for concrete measures to be taken during the discussion and approval process of the 2026 State Budget proposal, ensuring the enhancement and sustainability of the contracted sector, in order to guarantee the continuity of a universal, efficient, and citizen-centered public health response.