Last Tuesday, Minister Marta Temido submitted her resignation, a few hours following the news of the death of a young Indian tourist, who was pregnant, on a visit to Portugal, and might not get a hospital bed, was announced.
The 34-year-old Indian tourist died, following suffering a heart attack, when she was being transferred from a hospital that refused her because there was no bed available, according to the Indian Express newspaper.
Temedo’s resignation came following heavy criticism of the closure of emergency services in Portugal, the shortage of doctors in hospitals, and the spread of cases of pregnant women who suffered complications due to the inability of the National Health Service to respond.
According to local media, the Indian woman was 31 weeks pregnant and was taken to Santa Maria Hospital, one of the largest healthcare facilities in Portugal, following complaining of shortness of breath.
Reports stated that following her condition stabilized, the hospital decided to transfer her to another hospital, São Francisco Xavier, because the neonatal department was full in the first hospital. Reports said she had a heart attack on the way and died.