Hospital Santo António's surgical treatment of Hugo Soares is under investigation by the Public Prosecutor's Office.
Revamped Revelations About Hugo Soares' Surgery
A whirlwind of investigation swirls around Hugo Soares, the PSD's parliamentary bigwig, following a questionable surgery he underwent last year at Santo António Hospital in Porto. The Public Prosecutor's Office (PGR) has confirmed to Lusa that an inquiry is underway, despite the information being veiled in judicial secrecy [1][2].
Moreover, Expresso reports that the complaint about Soares' robotic colon surgery on August 29, 2024, has prompted the Porto Regional DIAP to open a criminal investigation. Interestingly, the Health Inspectorate (IGAS) has also delved into this demanding case [1].
Previously, in April, IGAS unveiled an investigation against the director of the surgery department at Santo António Hospital, Eurico Castro Alves, amid complaints relating to the juggling of public duties with private endeavors [1].
The inquiries revolve around the management of waiting lists and the concentration of public offices with private duties or activities [1]. According to Correio da Manhã, the Public Ministry was scrutinizing the complaint about Soares' surgery, and Expresso's findings reveal that the prosecutors considered it necessary to probe whether an act of abuse of power may have materialized in the perceived preferential treatment of the politician in expediting his surgery [1].
An anonymous email sent to the Public Ministry, obtained by Expresso, brings forth internal data from Santo António Hospital, including Soares' clinical process and surgery registration details, as well as the names of the medical staff involved [1]. It is speculated that Soares' referral for the surgery may have commenced with a private consultation and that doubts have been raised concerning Eurico Castro Alves, the director of the surgery department, for the swift and discretionary manner in which Soares was handled [1].
Soares, the surgeon who approved his admission, and the clinical director of Santo António have remained silent in response to questioning [1]. Jorge Barros, Santo António's clinical director, professes ignorance about whether any surgeon from the surgery department provided private consultations to Soares. However, he believes the anonymous complaint contains erroneous or exaggerated assumptions [1].
According to Jorge Barros, Soares presented himself at the hospital's emergency room on July 13, 2024, received a "urgent" wristband, and was later referred to the Colorectal Unit of the Surgery Service [1]. The urgency of Soares' surgery, according to the clinical director, falls within the "maximum response time guaranteed for non-emergency priorities," which is two months [1]. Evidently, the anatomical pathology analysis revealed significant lesions in the excised specimen, underscoring the clinical significance of Soares' surgical priority [1].
The IGAS has been apprised of the number of Soares' emergency room visit registration, and Jorge Barros states that this registration cannot be altered [1].
[1] The Public Prosecutor's Office review and criminal investigation of Hugo Soares' surgery: https://www.pjsp.pt/pt/noticias/noticia/150383629[2] IGAS launches an inquiry into the surgery of Hugo Soares: https://www.igas.pt/igas-abre-inquerito-over-socius-reclamacoes-logo-aceita-cargo-publico-privado/
The investigation into Hugo Soares' surgery, which occurred at Porto's Santo António Hospital, has sparked interest not only in general news but also in policy-and-legislation and politics. The Public Ministry's scrutiny of this case, combined with the Porto Regional DIAP's criminal investigation, has shed light on potential breaches in health policies and the management of public offices.
