The recent closure of the obstetric emergency unit at Hospital Garcia de Orta in Almada has starkly highlighted the vulnerabilities of the National Health Service (SNS) in addressing the needs of women, pregnant individuals, infants, and families. OVO Portugal has criticized this shutdown as a form of institutional and obstetric violence, restricting access to essential care and endangering lives, according to a statement.
On Saturday, the Ministry of Health announced the unexpected closure of the Obstetrics and Gynecology emergency unit at Hospital Garcia de Orta due to a shortage of doctors needed to cover shifts. This situation necessitated the transfer of patients to facilities in Lisbon because of the lack of available services in the Setúbal Peninsula.
The Obstetrics and Gynecology emergency services at Hospital Garcia de Orta have now reopened to patients.
The association expressed regret over the situation, stating, “For years, the Lisbon and Tagus Valley (LVT) region has been under constant pressure, with emergency closures, reduced services, and exhausted professionals. This situation is not a result of unforeseen events but rather of successive political decisions that have weakened maternal and child healthcare in the country.”
In response to the situation, OVO Portugal considers a strong and structural political response urgent, calling for public explanations from the Minister of Health in parliament, along with the presentation of a concrete plan for the LVT region.
The group also advocates for immediate investment in stable healthcare professionals, including a review of careers, salaries, and working conditions to reduce reliance on temporary hires while preventing their migration to the private sector.
OVO Portugal additionally calls for transparency in the management of obstetric emergencies, providing accessible information to the public about real-time alternatives. The organization demands the recognition of obstetric violence as a form of institutional and gender-based violence, citing the state’s failure to provide dignified and safe care.
OVO Portugal stated, “Closing an emergency unit is not merely an administrative act. It sends a message to women: ‘your rights can wait.’ However, pregnancy and childbirth do not wait. Every closed door, every extra kilometer traveled, and every missing professional increases risks to life and dignity.”
The group noted that one of the most severe “symptoms” of the emergency crisis is the reliance on temporary doctors, which they argue creates inequalities within teams. Instead of investing in stable hiring practices, there is an increasing dependence on more expensive temporary solutions.
They added, “In practice, reliance on temporary staff means that the state pays more to ensure less access, while mothers and newborns continue without guaranteed access to quality, safe, and humanized care.”
