After receiving harsh criticism for her decision to temporarily shut down emergency obstetric services following the death of an Indian pregnant lady while being transferred between hospitals, Portugal’s Health Minister Marta Temido resigned on Tuesday.
The prime minister acknowledged Ms. Temido’s statement that she “no longer had the conditions” to perform the duties of the office, according to Portugal’s National Public Broadcaster, RTP News.
Five hours after learning of the death of a pregnant woman in Lisbon, she announced her resignation.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa already presumptively believed that he was awaiting the resignation request from the Minister of Health, Marta Temido, and the suggestion to name his replacement in a note that was posted on the Presidency of the Republic’s official website.
A text with the title “Note on the Minister of Health’s intention to cease her duties” was posted on the Presidency’s website. It states, “The President of the Republic was informed by the Prime Minister, of the intention of the Minister of Health, Marta Temido, to cease her duties, a position she accepted.”
Due to a paucity of openings in the neonatology service, a pregnant Indian woman was transported from Hospital de Santa Maria to Hospital Sao Francisco Xavier on Tuesday. She passed away on Saturday.
RTP News stated that a cardiorespiratory arrest occurred during the journey and that resuscitation efforts were made aboard the transport.
At the Sao Francisco Xavier Hospital, the expectant woman was “subject to an immediate caesarean section, with the newborn, weighing 722 grammes, going to the neonatal critical care unit for preterm,” according to Centro Hospitalar Universitario Lisboa Norte (CHULN).
The CHULN stated, “The mother was hospitalised in intensive care, and she passed away,” and offered the family its “heartfelt condolences.”
Up until a replacement is selected, Marta Temido will continue in her position. The Council of Ministers, which is due to meet on September 15, must endorse the successor. However, the presentation can be foreseen.
The Ministry of Health also loses Secretaries of State Maria de Fatima Fonseca and Antonio Lacerda Sales.
