Portimão’s maternity ward closes – not enough Doctors

The doctors’ union said the closure of the maternity unit at Portimão’s Barlavento hospital, “was due to the lack of pediatricians who ensure neonatal care.”

The Independent Medical Association denounced the closure, lasting until this comiung Tuesday, 11th June.

Management stated that only those actually giving birth, or about to, would be cared for. The rest would be sent to Faro Hospital, just undert 70 kilometres away.

The Association’s Secretary-General, João Roque da Cunha, said that, “Since there are no doctors available to guarantee the minimum safety for pregnant women, the service closes until Tuesday when normal service will be restored.”

The administration of the University Hospital of Algarve (CHUA), which covers the hospitals in Lagos, Portimão and Faro, acknowledged difficulties,

“The lack of pediatric professionals at the Hospital unit of Portimão is recognised … however for reasons unrelated to the management body, it will be difficult to ensure periods of cover,” expalined management.

Management said it had tried to hire specialists, “some unsuccessful efforts were made, namely the request for temporary assignment sharing of pediatric doctors at several hospitals of the National Health Service,” adding that it is still willing to take on new doctors.

According to the secretary general of doctor’s association, it’s not just in the Algarve, as similar situations emergency action plans has been deployed, “on June 1 and 3 at Amadora Hospital, Sintra, which meant that during the night the maternity ward was closed.”