The National Institute for Medical Emergency (INEM) and the League of Portuguese Firefighters (LBP) announced today the reinforcement of resources following a meeting with the Health Minister on Monday.
The LBP stated that these two new ambulances, operated by firefighters from regional departments, aim to mitigate impacts related to patient mobility.
The emergency services, slated to function until September 30, will be stationed at hospitals with closed obstetric emergency rooms on the southern bank, rotating between hospitals in Almada, Barreiro, and Setúbal, the league explained.
“INEM is thus creating two new Seasonal Medical Emergency Posts, as outlined in the cooperation agreement signed with the LBP, funding their operation,” the institute stated in a release.
Following Monday’s meeting, LBP President António Nunes expressed readiness to bolster the special pre-hospital emergency arrangement nationwide, particularly in the Setúbal Peninsula, where the closure of gynecological and obstetric emergencies has been frequent.
The Health Minister recently announced that from September, the Hospital Garcia de Orta in Almada will have its obstetric emergency room open 24 hours a day, supported by doctors transitioning from private practice to the National Health Service.
Ana Paula Martins acknowledged the Setúbal Peninsula as the “most critical area” for gynecology and obstetrics services, admitting it will take “some time to stabilize” healthcare in this specialty within the region.
One potential solution involves creating regional emergency centers outlined in the Government’s program, composed of shared teams from hospitals, prioritizing “most critical specialties” in terms of human resources, such as obstetrics and pediatrics.
According to the minister, establishing regional emergency centers requires specific legislation to be negotiated with unions in September, asserting that the Government cannot proceed without discussing new work organization strategies.
