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A Ministra da Saúde de Portugal, Ana Paula Martins, disse que não sabia de problemas com António Gandra D'Almeida, ex-diretor do SNS. D'Almeida deixou o cargo após um relatório investigativo acusá-lo de ter vários trabalhos, o que é ilegal. Ele nega as acusações . O governo está investigando mais o caso.

Translation

The Portuguese Minister for Health, Ana Paula Martins, stated that she was unaware of any issues concerning António Gandra D'Almeida, the former director of the NHS. D'Almeida resigned after an investigative report accused him of holding multiple jobs, which is illegal. He denies the allegations. The government is further investigating the matter.

Exercise: Text comprehension

Question 1: Who is Ana Paula Martins?

She is the Health Minister of Portugal.

Question 2: What did the report accuse António Gandra D'Almeida of?

The report accused him of having multiple jobs, which is illegal.

Exercise: Vocabulary

(f.) - minister

(m.) - problems

(m.) - post

(m.) - report

- investigative

(f.) - accusations

Read the full story

▌24/01/2025

The Portuguese Health Minister, Ana Paula Martins, asserted in a recent exclusive interview that neither she nor the government was aware of any irregularities concerning António Gandra D'Almeida, the former executive director of the Service Nacional de Saúde (SNS). This statement follows the resignation of D'Almeida, prompted by an investigative report from SIC. The investigation revealed that he was holding multiple roles simultaneously, which may have contravened legal guidelines.

According to SIC's findings, D'Almeida served as the head of the Northern delegation of the National Institute of Medical Emergencies (INEM) while also working as a contract physician in various emergencies units, including those in Guarda, Faro, and Portimão. Although this accumulation of roles generally constitutes a legal conflict, D'Almeida managed to secure authorization from INEM under the pretense of not receiving a salary for the additional work. However, it is alleged that he earned over 200,000 euros for these duties through a company he co-owned with his wife.

Health Minister Unaware of Director's Role Conflicts Health Minister Unaware of Director's Role Conflicts (Illustration)

Minister Martins emphasized that the government had relied on a report by the Public Administration Recruitment and Selection Commission (CReSAP), which had vetted D'Almeida's credentials without noting any errors or illicit activities. The government's immediate response, upon discovering these revelations through the media, was to alert both its internal structures and the General Inspectorate of Health Activities (IGAS) for further examination.

In response to these accusations, D'Almeida issued a statement contesting the claims made in the investigation. He criticized the report as containing inaccuracies that unfairly damaged his reputation. D'Almeida had been chosen to head the SNS in May 2024 after the departure of his predecessor, Fernando Araújo, who resigned due to a desire not to hinder government policy implementation.

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