A top health official in Portugal has resigned, citing ethical duty after the death of a pregnant woman and her baby exposed critical failures in the sharing of patient information across public health services.
Carlos Sá, president of the Amadora-Sintra Local Health Unit (ULS), submitted his resignation Monday. Health Minister Ana Paula Martins accepted the request immediately.
Sá justified his decision by emphasizing "transparency, responsibility and public duty." He also reiterated his commitment to "ethics, rigor and public service," according to a communiqué.
Crucially, Sá stated that vital details about the 38-week pregnant woman’s clinical follow-up became known only after initial communications to the Minister. This prevented their disclosure at the time.
The ULS Amadora-Sintra administration acknowledged Sunday the 36-year-old woman had been receiving primary healthcare since July. However, this information was not readily available due to a lack of a "fully integrated clinical information system."
This systemic failure prevented automatic data sharing and medical records between different health services and units. The woman’s care at a local primary care unit was therefore not immediately apparent.
The woman had two pregnancy monitoring consultations in July and August at the primary care unit. She also underwent obstetrics consultations at Fernando Fonseca Hospital in Amadora in September and October, with the last visit occurring just two days before her death.
The woman’s family had previously told Portuguese media outlets that her pregnancy was being followed by the health unit.
The pregnant woman died on Friday after arriving at the hospital in cardiorespiratory arrest. Diogo Bruno, director of obstetrics and gynecology emergency services at Hospital Amadora-Sintra, said all standard procedures were followed. Her baby also died.
Multiple investigations are now underway into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
These include an internal inquiry by the hospital’s administration, a probe by the General Inspectorate of Health Activities (IGAS), and an evaluation process launched by the Health Regulatory Entity (ERS).