Portugal doctors’ union says health system ready amid heat wave

A heat wave is affecting continental Portugal. The Ordem dos Médicos (OM) met with all clinical directors of the National Health Service (SNS) and reported that health institutions have contingency plans, increased staffing and resources in place.

Bastonário Carlos Cortes said at a press conference after visiting the Proença‑a‑Nova care centre and the Amato Lusitano Hospital in Castelo Branco that “the message that was transmitted to me is a message of tranquility” and that, “here in the emergency department there is not really an increase in heat‑related urgent episodes.”

The OM warned that isolated elderly people and care homes are vulnerable, calling for refrigeration, air‑conditioning and additional medical staff in these facilities. Cortes also criticised chronic staffing shortages, urging the Ministry of Health to implement permanent measures and to adopt the 25‑point plan the OM submitted to improve the attractiveness of the SNS for doctors and other health professionals. He praised the public‑health teams for their “extraordinary” work during the heat spell.