Easter Weekend Crisis: Multiple Emergency Services Shut Down in Greater Lisbon

Urgent Care Services Face Severe Challenges

The pediatric and obstetric emergency services in the Greater Lisbon area are set to face increasing difficulties over the next three days. This Friday, three emergency units are already closed: at Hospital Garcia de Orta, Hospital Amadora-Sintra, and in Santarém.

Emergency Closures Over the Weekend

On Saturday, five emergency services in the Lisbon and Tagus Valley region will be closed, including the Gynecology emergency at Garcia de Horta, as well as those at Barreiro Hospital and Vila Franca de Xira. Additionally, there will be constraints in the pediatric services at both Loures and Vila Franca hospitals.

By Sunday, the situation will worsen, with ten emergency services closed. This includes the Obstetrics emergencies at Amadora-Sintra, Setúbal Hospital, Santarém, and Abrantes. In Torres Vedras, the Pediatrics emergency will also remain closed.

Increased Demand on Remaining Services

The director of the Gynecology and Obstetrics service at Santa Maria Hospital noted an increase in the number of pregnant women from the Setúbal peninsula, but assured that they have managed to provide adequate care thus far. The Alfredo da Costa Maternity Hospital in Lisbon is expected to be one of the few fully operational facilities throughout the weekend, anticipating a higher influx of patients during this time. So far, MAC has successfully met the increased demand.

Broader Impact Across the Country

Across the rest of the country, constraints have also risen. On Saturday, the Gynecology and Obstetrics emergencies will be closed in Aveiro, Leiria, and Castelo Branco. The Obstetrics emergency in Leiria will remain closed on Easter Sunday as well. The executive director of the SNS anticipates further constraints beyond the ten closures already expected for this Easter weekend.

However, Álvaro Almeida assures that no patient will go unattended.