Almada home birth underscores ambulance shortage in Portugal

A 35‑year‑old woman in Almada's Torrão district gave birth to a girl at home after a 30‑minute delay in ambulance response. The first emergency call was placed at 12:09, but the ambulance from Trafaria was only dispatched at 12:39, by which time the baby, named Vitória, had already been born with the help of neighbours. Firefighters and a rapid‑response medical vehicle later arrived and the newborn was taken to Lisbon's Alfredo da Costa maternity hospital.

The incident was highlighted by the Union of Pre‑Hospital Emergency Technicians (STEPH), whose spokesman Rui Lázaro criticized the National Emergency Medical Institute (INEM) for having removed around 100 ambulances from service. STEPH claims the shortage left 60 calls waiting that day and threatens to affect 71 municipalities, including Lisbon and Porto. INEM has denied any dismantling of the emergency system, stating the changes aim to improve integration between pre‑hospital and hospital care.