Portugal unveils heat‑wave health plan with municipal cooling shelters

The Portuguese government announced a comprehensive heat‑wave health plan aimed at protecting vulnerable groups as temperatures are expected to reach around 40 °C for several days. The plan mandates that every municipality set up at least one climate‑controlled shelter where elderly people, children and patients with chronic illnesses can seek relief. Health authorities will work with local councils to issue a guide of best‑practice measures and ensure transport to the shelters where needed.

The Communist Party (PCP) praised the contingency actions, saying “todas as medidas de contingência são bem‑vindas”, but urged the government to also address the chronic under‑funding of the National Health Service, arguing that the heat‑wave response should not distract from everyday health system deficiencies.

The health minister confirmed hospitals are prepared for the upcoming heat spell, and the plan is set to be detailed in a press conference scheduled for later the same day.