Presidential candidate Catarina Martins described as “intolerable” the incident involving a woman who gave birth in an Uber shortly after being discharged from São Francisco Xavier Hospital in Lisbon on Wednesday.
“A woman gave birth in an Uber because the National Health Service (SNS) didn’t respond as needed. It went well, but only by chance. This is intolerable. Health care during childbirth is a fundamental right for women. Public health cannot depend on chance; it needs reinvention,” stated the former coordinator of the Left Bloc on social media.
The Health Minister was confronted on Wednesday with this new case involving a pregnant woman that became public today. Ana Paula Martins referred explanations to the Lisbon Western Health Local Unit.
“These situations are very concerning to us, but regarding this case – as with similar cases –, I must refer the explanation of this case and this situation to the respective Health Local Unit and not make any comments,” she stated.
Uma mulher teve um parto num Uber porque o SNS não respondeu como era necessário. Correu bem, mas por acaso. Isto é intolerável.
Cuidados de saúde no parto são um direito fundamental das mulheres. A saúde pública não pode viver de acasos, precisa de ser reiventada.
— Catarina Martins (@catarina_mart) November 12, 2025
Health Local Unit says the treatment “followed established protocol”
A woman gave birth in an Uber en route to São Francisco Xavier Hospital last night, shortly after being discharged from the same facility. The Lisbon Western Health Local Unit assured Notícias ao Minuto that the treatment “followed the established protocol.”
The woman reportedly entered the Obstetrics and Gynecology Emergency Service at São Francisco Xavier Hospital, referred by Saúde 24, on Tuesday afternoon around 5 PM.
According to the Health Local Unit, “as it was verified that the woman was not in labor and since she lived nearby (in Damaia), she was discharged around 8 PM with instructions on warning signs and the recommendation to return should they occur.” The pregnant woman eventually gave birth “about two hours later.”
However, the TVDE driver offered a slightly different version to Correio da Manhã. According to that newspaper, the birth took place in Loures, and the pregnant woman had been discharged about half an hour earlier.
