According to a report by Público, this increase has occurred despite the €200 million financial boost the government provided in July to settle overdue payments for more than 90 days related to the purchase of medicines and devices.

Between June and July, when the €200 million financial boost had an impact on hospital accounts, the reduction in overdue payments was €77 million. In other words, the value of debts overdue for more than 90 days beyond the agreed date rose from 547.6 million euros in June to 470.5 million euros the following month, according to data from the SNS Portal. However, the reduction was limited and quickly disappeared.

Successive governments frequently provide financial reinforcements, but according to Xavier Barreto, president of the Portuguese Association of Hospital Administrators, the essential issue with late payments "is persistent underfunding," arguing that, to prevent entities from accumulating so many late payments, hospitals must be financed "adequately."

"We're not talking about an increase in overall funding, because that money is paid out, but rather at the end of the year, with a capital injection. So, it's better to provide funding at the beginning and allow hospitals to avoid accumulating debt right away," he reflected.