LISBON, Portugal (AP) 鈥� Portuguese Health Minister Marta Temido quit Tuesday, saying she felt 鈥渘o longer able to remain in office鈥� after broad criticism over her handling of recent staffing problems at public hospitals.
Temido, a 48-year-old expert in hospital administration and Portugal鈥檚 health minister since 2018, was one of the most popular members of the center-left Socialist government during the COVID-19 pandemic.
But she has been under severe pressure for several months, including from inside her Socialist Party, due to temporary closures of public hospital emergency services, including in maternity departments, due to a lack of staff.
Critics blamed the problems on a lack of planning by the health ministry, especially during the summer vacation period, in what became an embarrassment for the government.
Groups representing Portuguese doctors and nurses have also been critical of Temido鈥檚 policies.
Prime Minister Antonio Costa鈥檚 office announced Temido鈥檚 resignation in a brief statement at 1.30 a.m.
It said the government would push ahead with reforms to strengthen the national health service but gave no indication about Temido鈥檚 replacement.
The Associated Press
