Patients waiting for surgery at the highest value ever

The number of patients waiting for surgery in Portugal's National Health Service (SNS) has reached a record high of over 284,000. Surgical activity continues to decline, with a 4.9% decrease in surgeries performed in the first seven months of 2026 compared to the previous year. Critics, including the president of the Medical Association, Carlos Cortes, attribute this to underfunding and lack of political will to address the issue. Additionally, 30.5% of patients are waiting beyond clinically recommended times, indicating a worsening situation. The government plans further budget cuts, raising concerns about the impact on patient health and surgical capacity.