Portuguese Army launches disciplinary process against former health chief António Gandra d'Almeida

The Portuguese Army has opened a disciplinary proceeding against António Gandra d'Almeida, a lieutenant‑colonel who previously served as director‑executive of the Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS) and as head of the Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica (INEM). The action follows a report by the Inspection‑General of Health Activities (IGAS) that found Gandra d'Almeida had illegally combined public duties with private medical work, violating rules on the accumulation of public functions. While directing the INEM in the north, he also worked as an on‑call doctor in at least four public hospitals, overlapping schedules and receiving additional pay. The IGAS report concluded that this practice, which lasted from 2021 to 2024, breached statutory limits and resulted in financial benefit. Gandra d'Almeida resigned from the SNS in January 2025 after media coverage of the allegations. The Army’s statement said the disciplinary process is confidential and no further details will be released at this stage.