A new centralised obstetrics and gynaecology emergency unit is set to open at Loures Hospital to address staffing shortages and ensure 24/7 service coverage, despite ongoing challenges in other regions.
Regional obstetrics emergency unit opens at Loures Hospital

Context & Explainers

Ana Paula Martins is a Portuguese pharmacist and politician who has served as the Minister of Health in Portugal since April 2024. A member of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), she was reappointed to the position in the second government of Prime Minister Luís Montenegro in June 2025.
Professional Background
Pharmaceutical Leadership: She served as the President of the Order of Pharmacists (Bastonária da Ordem dos Farmacêuticos) from 2016 to 2022.
Hospital Management: She was the President of the Board of Directors of Hospital de Santa Maria (CHULN) in Lisbon from December 2022 to January 2024.
Academic Work: She holds a PhD in Clinical Pharmacy and has been an assistant professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Lisbon for over 20 years.
Political Career
Government Role: As Minister of Health, she has overseen the implementation of the "SNS Emergency Plan" and recently addressed issues such as INEM staffing and public-private partnerships in healthcare.
Party Leadership: She served as Vice President of the PSD under Rui Rio (2021–2022).
Parliament: She was elected as a member of the Assembly of the Republic representing the Lisbon constituency in 2024.
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Other news coverage of this topic
- Loures to receive pregnant women from the Ribatejo region • Correio da Manhã
- Emergency department in Almada to be safer and centralisation in Loures on Monday • RTP Notícias
- Emergency department in Almada will be safer, says SNS director • Observador
- Setúbal mayors "concerned" about the concentration of regional obstetrics and gynaecology emergency services • Correio da Manhã
- Setúbal mayors oppose centralisation of emergency services • Observador
- Read today's DN, Wednesday, March 11 • Diário de Notícias
- First Centralised Obstetrics Emergency unit to launch in Loures, but only with additional nursing staff • Diário de Notícias










