Portuguese police conducted raids on the country’s health ministry and largest hospital on Thursday as part of an investigation into potential preferential treatment given to baby twins who received an expensive medical therapy, allegedly with links to the president.
The prosecutor general’s office stated that the raids aimed to probe possible crimes such as malfeasance in public office, abuse of power, and qualified fraud. The searches extended to social security offices, other health service units, and private residences.
The case drew attention in 2019-2020 when the twins, born in Brazil and aged 15 months at the time, were treated with Zolgensma, one of the world’s priciest drugs, at Lisbon’s Santa Maria hospital. The treatment cost the state approximately four million euros ($4.35 million). Zolgensma is used for spinal muscular atrophy, a rare and severe hereditary condition affecting babies and toddlers under two.
According to reports, the twins’ mother mentioned in an interview that she used her “contacts” to expedite the treatment process after encountering reluctance from a doctor. She indicated that one of her contacts was the president’s daughter-in-law. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa acknowledged that his son had informed him about the need for treatment but denied any involvement in the case.
The twins’ treatment has sparked controversy due to its significant cost to the public and concerns that other patients may have been overlooked for the same therapy.
The anti-immigration party Chega criticized both the conservative president and the health ministry, prompting the establishment of a parliamentary committee to investigate the matter.
A hospital spokesperson stated their cooperation with authorities, while a health ministry spokesperson confirmed the raids but refrained from providing further details.
