The Minister of Health announced on Monday 9 November 2026 that she will dismiss the president of the ULS Algarve Board of Directors, Tiago Martins da Silva, following patient deaths in the Portimão Hospital emergency department.
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The Portuguese state will hold five of the nine seats on TAP's board of directors and retain the chairman role, while Lufthansa will appoint three of the four members of the executive committee to run daily operations following its selection to acquire up to 49.9% of the airline for 1.2 billion euros. Strategic decisions such as fleet management and major operations will require consensus with Lufthansa, and the government is already considering a potential second phase to privatize the remaining 50.1% stake, which could involve a share swap making the state a 5% shareholder in the combined Lufthansa group. The first phase of the privatization is expected to be completed by early 2028, subject to regulatory approval.
The Chega party leader called for the Prime Minister to intervene and for the Health Minister to take responsibility following multiple deaths in the Algarve, specifically citing emergency care failures at Portimão Hospital. This follows the Minister's decision to dismiss the president of the ULS Algarve and the arrest of the ULS Aveiro president on corruption charges.
Former ministers have requested urgent changes to the National Health Service (SNS) following the ongoing debate and criticism regarding the management of the Algarve Local Health Unit (ULS Algarve) and the resignation of its board president.