Lisbon's hospitals have witnessed a staggering 75% increase in costs for extra surgeries over just two years, with 2024 alone accounting for 40 million euros. This surge is part of a nationwide trend, with some of the country's largest Local Health Units (ULS) reporting increases between 50% and 100% in expenses for additional surgeries.
The Rising Tide of Extra Surgeries
In 2022, 7,495 additional surgeries were performed, making up 30.7% of the total. By 2023, this number rose to 9,971 (35.6% of the total), and in 2024, it reached 12,322 (38% of the total). The Santa Maria ULS, under Carlos Martins' leadership, attributes a slight stabilization in costs to "measures that reduced the average cost per additional surgery by about 10%."
A Spotlight on Dermatology
A recent investigation revealed significant payments in the Dermatology service, including a dermatologist at Santa Maria Hospital who earned 400,000 euros for 10 Saturdays of extra work in 2024.
Algarve and Coimbra Follow Suit
The Algarve ULS saw a 60% increase in extra surgery costs, from 4.9 million euros in 2022 to 7.8 million in 2024. Similarly, Coimbra's ULS experienced a 50% rise, with costs jumping from 5.3 million in 2022 to 8.2 million in 2024.
Lisbon's Western ULS Nearly Doubles Extra Surgeries
Lisbon's Western ULS reported a 90% increase in extra surgeries, from 4,004 in 2022 to 7,642 in 2024. Despite the surge, the average cost per surgery remained stable, around 929 euros in 2024.
Nationwide, Extra Surgeries Spike by 77% Since 2021
The SNS Executive Directorate noted a 77% increase in extra surgeries under the SIGIC program since 2021, with 239,000 performed in 2024. This growth far outpaces the 12% increase in conventional surgeries since 2021.
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