On Tuesday, the President of the Republic welcomed the opening of an investigation by the Ministry of Justice into the case of twins from Brazil who were treated with one of the most expensive drugs in the world at the Santa Maria hospital.
“At the moment there is an investigation open against unknown people, and that’s right, and I think that’s good,” Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa told reporters at the Portuguese Catholic University in Lisbon.
“In fact, I said this in my speech on November 4, that it was important to bring clarity to this issue, either through the initiative of those who worked in the institution, or through an internal audit or some form of investigation. and I’m happy with that,” he added.
The head of state, who had already denied intervening in the matter, was again asked whether he had any interference, whether his son had spoken to him about the matter and whether he would ultimately be willing to give statements in the process.
Marcelo Rebelo de Souza refused to answer all questions about the case, “unless we welcome the opening of an investigation.”
“This is more or less consistent with what I advocated a month ago, and I think it is important to establish the truth,” he repeated.
When asked whether his lack of statements was reassuring, the President of the Republic replied: “I was already calm, I’m still calm.”
“Those conducting investigations, internal and external, must have the right to investigate.”
On November 24, the State Ministry confirmed that it had opened an investigation into the case of two twins from Brazil who were treated at the Santa Maria Hospital with Zolgensma, one of the most expensive drugs in the world.
“The initiation of an investigation into the above facts has been confirmed. The case is being investigated by the Lisbon Regional Department of Investigations and Criminal Cases and is not currently being pursued against a specific person,” reads the response from the Office of the Public Prosecutor General of the Republic (PRG) sent to the agency by Luz.
The case came to light in TVI reports broadcast since November 3, which reported that two twins of Brazilian origin, who have since acquired Portuguese citizenship, came to Portugal in 2019 to receive the drug Zolgensma for spinal muscular atrophy, which in total amounted to expensive expenses. four million euros.
TVI reiterated that influence in this case was suspected on the part of the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who denied any interference.
The case is also being analyzed by the General Inspectorate of Medical Activities (IGAS) and is the subject of an internal audit at the Hospital University of Northern Lisbon, of which the Santa Maria Hospital is part.
In statements to journalists in Setubal on November 4, the President of the Republic denied that he had petitioned the Santa Maria Hospital or any other organization so that two Brazilian children could be treated by the National Health Service (SNS).
“Yesterday I [3 de novembro] He said [à TVI] who didn’t. Not. I didn’t talk to the Prime Minister, I didn’t talk to the Minister [da Saúde]“I have not spoken with the secretary of state, nor with the CEO, nor with the president of the hospital, nor with the board of directors, nor with the doctors,” Marcelo Rebelo de Souza said.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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