Adalberto Campos Fernandes was speaking at the parliamentary committees of Health and Finance as part of a detailed appreciation of the State Budget.

The transfer of this funding begins a new cycle in Health sector accounts, the minister said, bringing them closer to stability.

In the third quarter of this year, arrears to health sector suppliers amounted to €2.072 billion.

The first installment of this amount will be transferred by 31 December 2017 via additional funding of €400 million for hospitals. By the same date, there will be an increase in the share capital of EPE hospitals by €500 million, and at the beginning of 2018 there will be a further capital increase for hospitals, also of €500 million.

Compared with the State Budget for 2017, the 2018 budget of the National Health Service (SNS) will increase by €500 million.