Former Health Minister Marta Temido said today that she is not aware of the contents of the Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte (CHULN) audit report into the case of the Portuguese-Brazilian twins, adding that she has not yet been called to testify.
Marta Temido, current PS deputy, spoke in parliament after journalists confronted her with the fact that the president of the board of directors of CHULN, Ana Paula Martins, said that she had already received the final internal audit report on the case and sent it to the General Inspectorate of Health (IGAS ) and to the guardianship authorities.
“I heard a mention made today by the President of the CHULN Board of Directors on this topic. I am not familiar with this report and cannot comment on my opinion. [à época] Secretary of State [Lacerda Sales], nor anyone else involved. I cannot assess what is common and what is unusual,” said the former minister.
In front of reporters, he tried to repeat the following message: “I, Marta Temido, have always been ready to respond under any circumstances.”
“The audit became known today, late in the morning, to the president of the board of directors, who mentioned it. Can anyone honestly comment on this?” he asked himself.
After this, Marta Temido complained about the attitude of a group of journalists surrounding her in parliament, or rather in front of the headquarters of the PS parliamentary group.
“We have to be very careful about the services we provide to democracy. Citizen Marta Temido is ready to answer everywhere about what she did in the performance of her duties as Minister of Health. Journalists who have multiple sources are very knowledgeable. well, what is law and what is not law, but I don’t think this situation is reasonable when people understand that now is not the time to talk and that it is impossible for us to even move [no parlamento] “Calm down,” he countered.
Faced with journalists’ insistence, the former health minister responded again: “I have already said that now is not the time or place to speak.”
“Now, if you’re expecting me to slide in front of you to show you images of the deputy running away, I won’t do that. I will remain in front of you. I understand that the right place is not in front of journalists, whom I respect, and in such conditions,” he said.
When asked whether she had already been invited to give evidence to any investigative body in the case of the Portuguese-Brazilian twins, Marta Temido answered in the negative.
“I will say when this happens. It will happen then and if the relevant authorities consider it appropriate,” he added.
Today, the CHULN President was heard before the Parliamentary Health Committee following a PS inquiry into “alleged favoritism of two infant twins with spinal muscular atrophy in access to Zolgensma treatment.”