An investigation has been launched following an order on September 3, 2025, by the inspector-general to clarify the facts surrounding the assistance provided to an 11-month-old baby at the Unidade Local de Saúde de Castelo Branco, who subsequently passed away on August 22, stated the IGAS in a communiqué.
The inspector-general further mentioned that the clarification process will accompany the inquiry already initiated by the Unidade Local de Saúde de Castelo Branco concerning this case.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the death of this 11-month-old baby who reportedly suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest at the entrance of the Idanha-a-Nova health center, in the district of Castelo Branco.
Reports at the time from TV Record indicated that a baby died at the entrance of the Idanha-a-Nova health center after being denied service as it was close to the facility’s closing time, according to the child’s mother.
The incident occurred on August 22 when the 11-month-old child fell ill. The mother went to the Idanha-a-Nova Health Center, from where the baby was referred to the ULS of Castelo Branco. After being discharged, the baby showed no improvement, and the mother returned to the health center, where service was reportedly refused as it was near closing time.
Notícias ao Minuto | 22:43 – 01/09/2025
The Unidade Local de Saúde de Castelo Branco has initiated an internal investigation to determine what happened, while INEM confirmed that the Urgent Patient Orientation Center (CODU) received a call from the health center requesting support for an 11-month-old baby in cardiorespiratory arrest, but despite efforts, “the baby did not recover from the CPR situation.”
According to the mother, the boy was healthy but started to fall sick without exhibiting any severe symptoms that would predict the outcome.
The family sought help at the Idanha-a-Nova health center and was directed to the Pediatric Emergency Unit at Hospital Amato Lusitano in Castelo Branco, where medication was prescribed for the baby, but the child’s condition deteriorated.
Upon returning to the Idanha-a-Nova health center, service was reportedly denied, prompting a call to emergency services to transport the baby back to the hospital in Castelo Branco, but the child died at the health center’s entrance.
INEM confirmed that an Emergency Medical and Resuscitation Vehicle (VMER), an ambulance from the Idanha-a-Nova Volunteer Fire Department, and a Mobile Psychological Emergency Intervention Unit (UMIPE) were activated.
