The new health center in Catujal has commenced operations, while the one in Tojal is expected to open “by the end of the month,” and those in Camarate and Bobadela are currently “under construction,” according to the municipality in the district of Lisbon.
“This effort reflects a clear commitment to strengthening the public health response, going well beyond the formally assumed responsibilities,” stated the municipality.
In October 2023, the municipal council assumed responsibilities in the health sector, particularly regarding the maintenance of facilities.
“The condition of the buildings transferred to the Municipality was largely of significant degradation,” the municipality stated.
Since then, approximately half a million euros have been invested “in minor maintenance works that had been pending for several years” and were pending prior to the transfer of responsibilities.
Still unresolved is the repair of the air conditioning systems at the Loures Health Center and the ventilation systems at the Santo António dos Cavaleiros center, which have been out of order since 2004 and 2015, respectively.
The municipality accepted the transfer of responsibilities in the Health sector through a “complementary agreement,” in which the Government committed to cover the costs of building rehabilitation.
“This commitment, undertaken by the previous national executive, was put on hold with the governmental transition,” the municipality recalled.
In 2025, the municipal council received authorization from the Government to proceed with rehabilitation interventions, set to begin in August, at the units in Loures, Santo António dos Cavaleiros, and Sacavém.
This represents an additional investment of 1.5 million euros, aiming to “ensure dignified conditions for users and professionals.”
The municipality has been sharing plans for the construction projects in regular meetings with the management of the Local Health Unit (ULS) of Loures-Odivelas.
The executive, led by Ricardo Leão, “reaffirms its position as part of the solution, dedicated to ensuring better access to healthcare for users and better working conditions for professionals,” but acknowledges that “no construction project alone can solve the structural shortage of healthcare professionals.”
Ten doctors, nine nurses, and four technical assistants from the Family Health Unit (USF) Parque Cidade (Loures) submitted requests for exemption from responsibility due to inadequate working conditions, with temperatures in some offices reaching 35 degrees, the National Federation of Doctors (FNAM) reported last week.
In a statement, FNAM indicated it has already demanded explanations from the Board of Directors of the ULS of Loures and Odivelas and threatens to file formal complaints with the Inspectorate-General of Health Activities (IGAS) and the Health Regulatory Entity (ERS) if the situation is not urgently resolved.
The federation highlighted that the building lacks safe environmental conditions, posing risks for users and professionals, and that the high temperatures experienced in the offices have been managed using fans, a measure it believes is discouraged under certain circumstances by infection prevention standards.
