The director of Portugal’s National Health Service (SNS), Álvaro Almeida, has attributed delays in hiring new staff to a lack of authorization from the Finance Ministry. Plans intended to increase personnel levels are currently stalled, awaiting financial approval. Almeida acknowledged a significant delay in the approval process, impacting the SNS's ability to address existing staffing shortages. The situation raises concerns about the capacity of the public healthcare system to meet demand. This bureaucratic hurdle prevents the implementation of crucial staffing solutions. The finance ministry has yet to comment on the specific reasons for the delay. This issue highlights ongoing tensions between different government departments regarding healthcare funding.