Amadora-Sintra Hospital Board Chairman Resigns Amidst Controversy

Chairman Carlos Sá Steps Down

Carlos Sá, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hospital Fernando Fonseca, commonly known as Amadora-Sintra Hospital, submitted his resignation on Monday, November 3, 2025. The resignation was promptly accepted by the Minister of Health, Ana Paula Martins. This decision comes in the wake of significant public scrutiny following two major incidents at the Portuguese healthcare institution.

'Serious Information Failure' Cited in Pregnant Woman's Death

The primary catalyst for the resignation was a 'serious information failure' related to the tragic death of a 36-year-old pregnant woman and her baby. The woman, who was 38 weeks pregnant, died on October 31, 2025, with her baby passing away the following day, November 1. Initial information provided to Minister Ana Paula Martins suggested the woman had not received prenatal care. However, the hospital later clarified that the patient had, in fact, been receiving follow-up care since July 2025 at the Unidade Local de Saúde Amadora-Sintra (ULSASI) primary healthcare services.

Minister Martins stated that the information initially conveyed to her was 'incomplete,' leading to her misstatement in Parliament. Carlos Sá, in his statement, indicated that the factual elements transmitted to the Minister corresponded to the information available to him at the time, and additional details only emerged later. He cited 'ethical and professional duty' as reasons for his resignation.

Emergency Department Overload Adds to Pressure

Adding to the mounting pressure on the hospital's administration were reports of severe overcrowding in the emergency department. During the weekend preceding Sá's resignation, wait times at the Amadora-Sintra Hospital's emergency services reportedly exceeded 20 hours.

Minister Accepts Resignation

Minister Ana Paula Martins confirmed her acceptance of Carlos Sá's resignation, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. The events have prompted multiple investigations and renewed debate about patient safety and the management of healthcare services in Portugal.