Emergency Obstetric Services Halted in Almada
The margem sul do Tejo (south bank of the Tagus) is facing a critical shortage of obstetric and gynecological emergency services this weekend. The Hospital Garcia de Orta in Almada was unable to operate its emergency department as planned, due to last-minute unavailability of service-providing doctors. This failure contradicts assurances given by the Direcção Executiva do SNS (DE SNS) just days earlier, which had guaranteed full functionality through the SNS Portal.
Government Response and Coordination Efforts
In an official statement, the Ministry of Health, led by Minister Ana Paula Martins, pointed fingers at the service providers. These doctors, who regularly cover emergencies, unexpectedly withdrew their availability, leading to the closure of not just Almada's unit but also those in Barreiro and Setúbal. As a result, all pregnant patients are being redirected to hospitals in Lisbon, with the DE SNS coordinating closely with local health units (ULS) to ensure safe transfers and care.
The government expresses regret over the situation and emphasizes ongoing efforts to resolve the issue, though no timeline for reopening the Almada emergency service has been provided. An update on the SNS Portal indicates that from 8:30 AM on Sunday, September 14, the Almada and Setúbal units will resume operations for cases referred via CODU/INEM.
Background and Broken Promises
This incident follows earlier reports that two of the three obstetric emergencies in the Setúbal Peninsula would be closed due to staff shortages, with Almada expected to shoulder the burden. However, even this backup plan has faltered. In July, Minister Martins had promised that Almada's emergency department would be fully operational by September, supported by a new team of six obstetricians from the private sector. Despite hiring seven doctors, only four filled the critical vacancies with financial incentives, and not all transitioned from private practice as announced.
The ULS Almada-Seixal (ULSAS), which oversees Hospital Garcia de Orta, previously admitted that this reinforcement did not guarantee 24/7 emergency coverage, highlighting the need for further strengthening of services.
New Legislation and Future Measures
The government is pushing forward with new legislation aimed at addressing inequalities among service providers. This includes rules to prevent doctors who left the SNS voluntarily in the last three years from providing services, as well as those who completed specialties but did not apply for new graduate positions. The goal is to end privileges for task-based workers (tarefeiros) who earn significantly more than their SNS counterparts but avoid inconvenient schedules.
In a firm message, the Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to serving the Portuguese people through the SNS and protecting dedicated health professionals who sacrifice personally to provide care, contrasting them with those who prioritize higher hourly rates over consistent service.
Comments
Join Our Community
Sign up to share your thoughts, engage with others, and become part of our growing community.
No comments yet
Be the first to share your thoughts and start the conversation!