“It is a problem that occurs every year as soon as temperatures rise, and the lack of air conditioning increases respiratory and hospital infections in hospitalized patients,” stated Alfredo Gomes, coordinator of the regional board of Beira Alta of the Portuguese Nurses Union (SEP).
The warning was issued during a press conference held this morning near the hospital that is part of the Local Health Unit (ULS) of Guarda.
Recalling that the building of Nossa Senhora da Assunção was constructed “relatively recently,” Alfredo Gomes finds it strange that air conditioning was not included in the construction nor was the situation corrected afterward.
“There are one or two services where the problem is solved, but the inpatient unit, particularly the palliative care unit, are the most affected because of the nature of these services and the patients there,” noted the union leader.
According to Alfredo Gomes, the lack of air conditioning contributes to the increase in inter-hospital infections, “one of the serious problems in hospitals in Portugal.”
“If patients are already weakened and if other factors that may worsen their condition are not corrected, surely there have been cases where this has contributed to worsening patients’ health,” he added.
The unionist lamented that the problem “persists and is not resolved, despite investment plans.”
“The ULS Board of Directors must address this in a timely manner, not only when the heat arrives.”
Alfredo Gomes indicated that the SEP would demand the ULS “consider, in the 2026 budget, the needs in terms of air conditioning in the buildings where this problem is more severe to prevent raising the issue again next year.”
“It is an investment that cannot be made overnight, and it will not be resolved this summer, but it must be addressed in due time,” reiterated the coordinator of the regional board of Beira Alta of the SEP.
The poor conditions of Pavilion 1, at the Sousa Martins Hospital in Guarda, also concern the SEP.
“That building, which is old, has limited characteristics, making it more difficult to address climate insulation. It is urgent to focus on the building conditions and correct them in due time,” urged Alfredo Gomes.
Established in 1992, the Hospital of Nossa Senhora da Assunção in Seia is a district-level 1 hospital that serves the populations of the municipalities of Seia, Gouveia, and Fornos de Algodres in the district of Guarda, as well as Oliveira do Hospital in the district of Coimbra.
The new building, constructed from scratch and inaugurated in September 2009, houses medical-surgical services, the Basic Emergency Service, and units for Continued Care, Imaging, Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, and Pharmacy.
