Portugal emergency services delay leaves injured patient waiting 58 minutes

The National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM) in Portugal took 58 minutes to answer a call from firefighters who were transporting a seriously injured patient with a broken leg. Because of the delayed response, the firefighters proceeded to the hospital on their own to ensure the patient received timely care.

The incident has raised concerns about the efficiency of emergency medical coordination and prompted calls for a review of response protocols.