Tragedy Strikes: Mother and Newborn Die at Amadora-Sintra Hospital, Health Minister Responds

A Heartbreaking Loss in the Healthcare System

A newborn baby girl died this morning, just one day after her mother's tragic death at the Hospital Amadora-Sintra. The infant was delivered via emergency cesarean section at the Amadora/Sintra Local Health Unit but could not survive the severe circumstances.

The baby had been in a deep coma since birth, showing no neurological reflexes, according to hospital officials.

Details of the Mother's Case

The mother, a 36-year-old woman from Guinea-Bissau, arrived at the hospital early Friday morning already in cardiorespiratory arrest. She was 38 weeks pregnant and had attended a routine prenatal appointment just two days earlier, on Wednesday, where she was sent home after high blood pressure was noted but pre-eclampsia was ruled out.

In a statement to Lusa news agency, the Ministry of Health expressed deep sorrow, explaining that the child did not survive the injuries sustained after the mother went into cardiorespiratory arrest at home. RTP investigations suggest the mother's cause of death was a heart attack.

Statements from Health Authorities

Health Minister Ana Paula Martins offered heartfelt condolences to the family and friends, sharing in the pain of this tragedy. Her office emphasized the minister's sympathy in the wake of these devastating events.

Broader Concerns in Obstetrics

Diogo Ayres de Campos, president of the Portuguese Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, noted that cases of pregnant women in late gestation are increasingly common in Portuguese hospitals.

Similarly, Nuno Clode from the Society of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine warned about the lack of information in such cases, stating that childbirth can quickly become very complex. He believes this is one reason why health professionals are avoiding specialties like Gynecology and Obstetrics.

Political Fallout and Minister's Stance

During a parliamentary session on Friday, Minister Ana Paula Martins was questioned about political consequences following the death at Hospital Amadora-Sintra. When asked by Chega deputy Marta Silva about resigning—referencing a similar case in 2022 that led to a minister's resignation—Martins firmly stated, "No, I will not resign."

She clarified that this is a clinical matter and highlighted that the woman had no medical follow-up until her first hospital visit at 38 weeks of pregnancy.

Context on Out-of-Hospital Births

Martins also presented data showing that out-of-hospital births have been decreasing since 2022. She pointed out that many involve pregnant women without a family doctor, newly arrived in Portugal with advanced pregnancies. These women often lack funds for private care, do not speak Portuguese, are unprepared to call for help, and sometimes do not even have a mobile phone.

The mother had arrived in Portugal on September 3 and had family in Lisbon.

Report with information from Lusa.