Movimento Democrático de Mulheres criticizes healthcare service disruptions in Portugal

The Movimento Democrático de Mulheres (MDM) has criticized recent disruptions to essential reproductive and maternal healthcare services in Portugal.

In the Almada and Seixal region, the MDM expressed concern over the referral of women seeking voluntary interruption of pregnancy (IVG) from the Hospital Garcia de Orta to private clinics in Lisbon. The movement argues that such practices effectively hollow out legal rights by imposing bureaucratic and financial burdens on women. The local health unit (ULS Almada Seixal) acknowledged that it is currently unable to provide timely responses for IVG services, though it described the situation as temporary.

Simultaneously, the MDM's Portalegre branch has denounced the recurrent closures of the obstetrics and gynecology emergency services at the Hospital Dr. José Maria Grande. The group warned that these intermittent shutdowns jeopardize the health of pregnant women and newborns, forcing long and potentially unsafe travels. The MDM is calling for the urgent hiring of healthcare professionals and the permanent, 24-hour operation of obstetric emergency services to ensure equitable access to maternal care across the country.