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Government prepares restructuring of the National Health Service

The proposed reform of the NHS includes significant mergers and the creation of a new public agency, raising reactions among experts and health associations.

9 October 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: Government prepares restructuring of the National Health Service — Archive photoPhoto: Prefeito Assis · Flickr · BY

The Portuguese government is preparing a restructuring of the National Health Service (NHS) that may include significant mergers and the creation of a new public agency. The Executive Directorate of the NHS is expected to be merged with the Central Administration of the Health System (ACSS), according to information from Público and Observador.

Additionally, plans have been reported to integrate the General Directorate of Health (DGS) and the Ricardo Jorge National Institute into a new Public Health Agency. This information was obtained by RTP, which also mentioned the various planned mergers within the health system.

This reform proposal is part of a broader plan to modernize the central health machinery in Portugal. Some experts have expressed concern about the need to involve specialists in the discussion of the plan to avoid mistakes that occurred in past reforms, as indicated by Público.

The Public Health Physicians Association expressed the need to be informed about the details of the project and requested that the government consult experts in the process of implementing the new changes.

Former health ministers showed support for the merger of the Executive Directorate of the NHS and ACSS, emphasizing that the restructuring is an important step in improving the health system. However, reactions to this plan are varied, with some highlighting the need for careful discussion and analysis.

The government plans to present this reform soon, but the lack of clear information about the details is still causing tensions among health professionals and NHS managers. The situation requires close monitoring to ensure that the changes meet the needs of the health system in Portugal.

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