Emergency rooms for gynecology and obstetrics at hospitals in Almada, Setúbal, Caldas da Rainha, Aveiro, and Vila Franca de Xira remain closed today, as confirmed at 11:00 PM on Saturday.
At the Vila Franca de Xira Hospital, not only the gynecology and obstetrics services but also the pediatric emergency department are closed.
The gynecology and obstetrics emergencies at Amadora-Sintra Hospital, Nossa Senhora do Rosário Hospital in Barreiro, as well as hospitals in Santarém and Leiria, are currently only accepting pregnant women referred by the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM).
From 8:00 PM to 12:00 AM, the São Francisco Xavier Hospital in Lisbon will also restrict admittance of maternity cases to those referred.
The Pediatric Department at Beatriz Ângelo Hospital in Loures will today only receive children referred by INEM or the SNS 24 Line.
The constraints in emergency services are mainly due to a shortage of specialist doctors to cover the schedules, a situation more prevalent during holiday periods such as the summer.
Health authorities urge the public to contact the SNS24 Line (808 24 24 24) before going to an emergency room to receive proper guidance.
