Healthcare – Portugal FAQs for Expats

Question 1

What is the Alfredo da Costa Maternity Hospital?

Accepted Answer

The Alfredo da Costa Maternity Hospital (*Maternidade Alfredo da Costa*, commonly known as MAC) is Lisbon's principal public maternity facility and one of the busiest maternity units in Portugal's National Health Service (*Serviço Nacional de Saúde*).

Located in central Lisbon, the MAC is a referral center for high-risk pregnancies and complex neonatal care. It handles a large volume of births annually and serves as a teaching hospital affiliated with Lisbon's medical schools.

The MAC has been at the center of recurring debates about maternity ward closures and staffing shortages across Portugal's public health system. Expectant parents in the Lisbon area may be referred to the MAC for specialist care or diverted there when other maternity units temporarily close due to staff shortages.

Question 2

What is the Algarve Local Health Unit ("*Unidade Local de Saúde do Algarve*") and why does it matter for expats living there?

Accepted Answer

The Algarve Local Health Unit ("*Unidade Local de Saúde do Algarve*") is the public body that runs many of the region's hospitals, primary care centres and emergency services under the SNS, coordinating local clinical services and on‑call rotas. For expats it matters because this unit manages the nearest public hospitals and urgent care options, so knowing which facility covers your area helps you find emergency care, vaccination services and routine NHS appointments.

Question 3

What is the CODU?

Accepted Answer

The CODU (*Centro de Orientação de Doentes Urgentes*) is the emergency medical dispatch center responsible for coordinating urgent pre-hospital care in Portugal. It operates under the National Institute of Medical Emergency (*Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica* or *INEM*) to assess medical emergencies and dispatch the appropriate resources, such as ambulances or helicopters.

Question 4

What is the DGS (Directorate-General for Health)?

Accepted Answer

The DGS (*Direção-Geral da Saúde*) is Portugal's central public health authority, responsible for setting health policy guidelines, managing vaccination programs, disease surveillance, and public health campaigns. It operates under the Ministry of Health.

The DGS issues clinical guidelines (*normas*) that health professionals across Portugal follow, manages the national vaccination schedule, coordinates responses to disease outbreaks, and publishes health statistics. It became widely known during the COVID-19 pandemic as the lead agency for public health guidance.

For residents, the DGS is the authoritative source for vaccination schedules, health alerts, and clinical guidance. Its recommendations shape how hospitals and health centers deliver care across the country.

Question 5

What is the ERS (Health Regulatory Authority)?

Accepted Answer

The ERS (*Entidade Reguladora da Saúde*) is Portugal's independent health regulator, responsible for overseeing the quality, access, and safety of healthcare services provided by both public and private providers.

The ERS monitors compliance with patients' rights, investigates complaints, and can issue warnings, recommendations, or sanctions when healthcare standards are not met. It publishes reports on waiting times, diagnostic delays, and access to care that often drive public debate about the state of Portugal's health system.

For residents, the ERS is the body to contact with complaints about healthcare services — whether delays in treatment, quality concerns, or issues with access to the National Health Service (*Serviço Nacional de Saúde*, SNS) or private providers.

Question 6

What is Hospital Amadora‑Sintra?

Accepted Answer

Amadora‑Sintra refers to the public hospital serving the adjoining municipalities of Amadora and Sintra in the Lisbon metropolitan area—commonly called Hospital Amadora‑Sintra, especially its emergency department (*serviço de urgência*). It is a major suburban emergency and inpatient centre that often runs at high capacity, so safety incidents or staffing problems there can quickly affect waiting times and access to urgent care for expats living in west/northwest Lisbon.

Question 7

How does Portugal's infant mortality rate compare with other countries?

Accepted Answer

Portugal's infant mortality has been low by global standards, generally around 2–3 deaths per 1,000 live births in recent years, which is similar to or slightly below the EU average (about 3–3.5 per 1,000). For comparison, Spain is roughly 2–2.5, France and Germany about 3–3.5, and the United States around 5–6 per 1,000; exact yearly figures change, so check Eurostat or WHO for the latest data.

Question 8

How are hospital staffing and rotas organised in Portugal's National Health Service ("*Serviço Nacional de Saúde*" or "*SNS*")?

Accepted Answer

Staffing and shift schedules in the SNS combine permanent doctors, residents and temporary cover (locums or overtime) arranged by each hospital's Clinical Directorate ("*Direção Clínica*"), which plans rotas to cover on‑call and emergency shifts. Rotas are subject to national labour rules, collective agreements and local shortages, so hospitals may use voluntary shift swaps, incentives or external contractors when regular staff are unavailable.

Question 9

What is INEM?

Accepted Answer

INEM (*Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica*) is Portugal's national emergency medical service, responsible for coordinating and providing pre-hospital emergency care. It operates the country's emergency medical dispatch system, activated through the European emergency number 112.

INEM deploys ambulances (including basic and advanced life support units), medical helicopters (VMER), and motorcycle response units across Portugal. It also manages the CODU (*Centro de Orientação de Doentes Urgentes*) — the emergency call centers that triage incoming 112 calls and dispatch the appropriate medical response.

INEM has faced persistent challenges including ambulance shortages, staffing gaps (particularly among emergency medical technicians), and long response times in rural areas. These issues have made INEM a frequent subject of political debate, with calls for better funding, improved working conditions, and expanded coverage. Residents should know that calling 112 connects to INEM's triage system, and knowing your exact location speeds up emergency response.

Question 10

What is primary care in Portugal?

Accepted Answer

Primary care (*Cuidados de Saúde Primários*) is the first level of Portugal's health system — the network of health centers (*centros de saúde*) and family health units (*Unidades de Saúde Familiar*, USF) that provide general practice consultations, nursing care, vaccinations, chronic disease management, preventive screening, and referrals to specialist care.

Every resident registered with the SNS (*Serviço Nacional de Saúde*) is entitled to a family doctor (*médico de família*), though in practice over a million people lack an assigned GP due to doctor shortages. The strength of primary care directly affects hospital pressure — when health centers are understaffed or closed, patients turn to hospital emergency departments, increasing waiting times.

Portugal has been expanding USF coverage and recruiting more GPs, but access remains uneven, particularly in rural inland areas and some Lisbon suburbs.

Question 11

What is the SPAIC?

Accepted Answer

The SPAIC (*Sociedade Portuguesa de Alergologia e Imunologia Clínica*) is the Portuguese Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology. This professional organization monitors environmental factors like pollen levels to provide public health data and guidance for patients with respiratory allergies.

Question 12

What are ADSE reimbursements?

Accepted Answer

ADSE reimbursements are cash repayments made to eligible beneficiaries for part of their healthcare costs, including consultations, tests and a portion of optical or dental expenses. Since January the annual reimbursement for buying glasses has been capped at €180, and ADSE said fee schedules for radiology, gastroenterology and surgery will be adjusted in February, so beneficiaries should check the updated rules.

Question 13

What are autobaixas?

Accepted Answer

An *autobaixa* (*self-certified sick note*) is a short self-declaration of illness introduced in May 2023 that allows a worker to be absent for up to three days without a doctor's visit; the National Health Service (SNS) has recorded 1,266,354 autobaixas since the change. Employees and employers should note this affects how short absences are recorded and may be subject to later verification by authorities or employers.

Question 14

What are cardiovascular medications and why does their rising cost matter for SNS spending?

Accepted Answer

Cardiovascular medications treat or prevent diseases of the heart and blood vessels, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart failure and blood clots, and include antihypertensives, statins and anticoagulants. They are among the most prescribed medicines in Portugal, where cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death, and most are partly paid for by the SNS (*Serviço Nacional de Saúde*) when prescribed by a doctor.

Question 15

What are health cards?

Accepted Answer

Health cards are private membership or discount schemes sold by companies that offer access to consultations, tests or reduced fees at private clinics; they are not the public health service. The Socialist Party (*Partido Socialista* or *PS*) has proposed regulation to increase transparency and protect consumers from misleading marketing or unexpected charges.

Question 16

What are hospital performance indicators?

Accepted Answer

Hospital performance indicators (*indicadores de desempenho hospitalar*) are measurable targets set by health authorities—such as waiting times, procedure volumes or bed occupancy—used to assess and compare hospitals and health centres. In this news, providers say they do not yet know the 2026 indicators, which the government expects to finalise by the end of March, leaving managers uncertain about targets and planning.

Question 17

What are Hospital Referral Networks?

Accepted Answer

Hospital referral networks are organised groups of hospitals and specialised centres that handle complex cases and high‑level treatments within the National Health Service (*Serviço Nacional de Saúde* or SNS). In Portugal these *redes de referência hospitalar* concentrate technical expertise and coordinate referrals, so they determine which hospitals patients (including residents and expats) are sent to for specialist care and can affect waiting times and travel for treatment.

Question 18

What are Integrated Continuing Care Teams and why does a 43% increase in waiting patients matter?

Accepted Answer

Integrated Continuing Care Teams (*Equipas de Cuidados Continuados Integrados* or *ECCI*) are multidisciplinary teams that coordinate long-term, post-acute and rehabilitation care for patients who no longer need acute hospital treatment but still require medical and social support. A 43% rise in patients awaiting placement means hospitals hold patients longer, increasing pressure on beds, slowing discharges, and worsening access to acute care for other patients.

Question 19

What are intermediate units and how will the government's plan for 400 places affect hospitals?

Accepted Answer

Intermediate units (Portuguese: *unidades intermédias*) are social inpatient facilities for people who have been medically discharged from hospital but are not yet ready to move to permanent continuing-care services. Creating 400 places contracted with organisations in the social and solidarity sector aims to free up acute hospital beds and reduce delayed discharges, which can shorten waiting times and improve flow through hospitals for all patients.

Question 20

What are Local Health Units and why do the recent mergers matter for patients and hospital services?

Accepted Answer

Local Health Units (*Unidade Local de Saúde*) are organisational bodies within Portugal's National Health Service that group hospitals and associated primary-care services under a single management and budget; some now oversee operations with budgets exceeding €1 billion. Successive mergers into these units can blur hospital identities and, as reported, create gaps in management capacity — which may affect service coordination, waiting times and how patients register or access specialised care. For expats this matters because it can change which hospital or family doctor you are directed to, how referrals work, and where to send complaints or requests about continuity of care.

Question 21

What are palliative care services and why are they important in Portugal?

Accepted Answer

Palliative care (*cuidados paliativos*) are specialized medical services focused on providing relief from pain and symptoms for patients with serious, life-limiting illnesses. These services aim to improve the quality of life for both patients and their families by addressing physical, psychological, and spiritual needs. In Portugal, the sector is overseen by a national commission that coordinates care delivery across the public health system (*Serviço Nacional de Saúde* or *SNS*).

Question 22

What are emergency departments (*urgências*) and how do they work in Portugal?

Accepted Answer

Emergency departments (*urgências*) are hospital units that provide 24/7 unscheduled care for serious injuries and sudden illnesses, using triage to prioritise the most urgent cases. For expats, call 112 for life‑threatening emergencies or use the SNS24 helpline (808 24 24 24) for medical advice; expect long waits in public urgências during busy periods and consider private urgências if you have health insurance and need faster care.

Question 23

What is a caesarean section?

Accepted Answer

A caesarean section (C‑section) is a surgical delivery in which a baby is born through incisions in the mother’s abdomen and uterus rather than by vaginal birth. It has higher medical risks and a longer recovery than most vaginal births; the World Health Organization advises an approximate 10–15% population rate, while many countries and private‑sector providers record substantially higher rates, which affects costs and care choices for patients.

Question 24

What is a family health unit (*Unidade de Saúde Familiar*) and why does it matter for emergency waiting times?

Accepted Answer

A family health unit (*Unidade de Saúde Familiar*) is a primary-care team in Portugal made up of family doctors, nurses and sometimes other professionals that manages a registered list of patients and provides routine appointments, chronic‑disease follow‑up and same‑day urgent care. Because these units handle most non-emergency problems, gaps or shortages in their coverage can push people into hospital emergency departments and worsen waiting times, especially during flu peaks.

Question 25

What is a headteacher?

Accepted Answer

A headteacher is the senior leader of a school responsible for overall management, staffing, curriculum implementation and school performance; in Portuguese this role is commonly called *diretor* or *diretora* da escola. In the current debate headteachers are asking for more autonomy over hiring and reappointments, so parents and staff should watch for potential changes in how schools recruit teachers.

Question 26

What is a junta médica?

Accepted Answer

An *junta médica* (medical board) is a panel of doctors who produce formal reports to assess medical incapacity, disability, sick leave or fitness for procedures; those reports are used by Social Security and courts to decide benefits and legal outcomes. Backlogs in junta médica decisions can delay payments, access to treatment or surgery, so the president's recent decree to clear pending cases aims to speed up those assessments; residents awaiting decisions should check the status with Social Security (*Segurança Social*) or their treating doctor.

Question 27

What is a neonatal care unit?

Accepted Answer

A neonatal care unit (*unidade de cuidados neonatais*) is a hospital ward that treats newborns who need medical support, from close monitoring to intensive care for premature or seriously ill babies. Units are graded by level — higher‑level units (level II/III) provide ventilation, surgery and 24/7 neonatal specialists — so expect to check a hospital's unit level if you anticipate a high‑risk birth.

Question 28

What is a TAS?

Accepted Answer

A TAS is a health support technician (Técnico de Apoio à Saúde) who assists with basic patient care tasks in hospitals and primary-care settings, such as hygiene, mobility and routine checks. Unions say TAS staff work on the front line but are often paid close to the national minimum wage (about €920/month in 2024), so patients and health workers should be aware of staffing and pay pressures in the SNS.

Question 29

What is a Unidade de Cuidados na Comunidade?

Accepted Answer

An *Unidade de Cuidados na Comunidade* (community care unit) is a primary-care team that delivers home-based and local services such as nursing, social support, rehabilitation and palliative care, often working together with family health units. For older people, those with chronic conditions, or anyone needing home visits, these units coordinate care, social services and follow-up after hospital discharge.

Question 30

What is a Unidade de Saúde Familiar?

Accepted Answer

An *Unidade de Saúde Familiar* (family health unit) is a multidisciplinary primary-care clinic within Portugal's National Health Service (*Serviço Nacional de Saúde* or *SNS*) where GPs, nurses and other staff keep registered patient lists and provide routine care, appointments and specialist referrals. For residents and expats, being registered with a family health unit gives you a regular GP, easier access to prescriptions and referrals, and a clear route into the public health system.

Question 31

What is ADSE?

Accepted Answer

ADSE is the public health subsystem that provides supplementary healthcare cover for many Portuguese civil servants and some retirees (originally *Sistema de Assistência dos Servidores Civis do Estado*). It reimburses part of medical expenses and is separate from the national health service, so changes like the January cap on glasses reimbursements affect beneficiaries directly.

Question 32

What or where is Alfredo Bensaúde and why might it appear in local news?

Accepted Answer

*Alfredo Bensaúde* is a neighbourhood in Lisbon that appears in news when local police operations or community issues occur; it includes residential blocks and commercial areas. For expats, mentions of the neighbourhood usually relate to local policing, social projects or urban development rather than matters affecting the whole city.

Question 33

What is an intensive care unit and why is ICU capacity often mentioned in health coverage?

Accepted Answer

An intensive care unit (Portuguese: *unidade de cuidados intensivos*) is a specialised hospital ward that provides close monitoring and life-sustaining treatment for critically ill patients using advanced equipment and highly trained staff. ICU capacity is frequently mentioned because it signals how many severe patients a health system can care for — when ICUs are full, hospitals may delay surgeries, limit admissions or transfer patients, so expats should check insurance and hospital policies for critical-care coverage and visitation rules.

Question 34

What is ANADIAL?

Accepted Answer

ANADIAL is the National Association of Dialysis Centres, a body that represents and coordinates dialysis providers across the country. It announced today that the national network stayed fully operational during the storms, which matters because dialysis patients usually need treatment several times a week and service interruptions can be life-threatening.

Question 35

What is ANTEM?

Accepted Answer

The National Association of Medical Emergency Technicians (*Associação Nacional dos Técnicos de Emergência Médica* or *ANTEM*) is a professional organization representing emergency responders. It frequently monitors and critiques the management of the National Institute of Medical Emergency (*Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica* or *INEM*), which is the state agency responsible for coordinating emergency medical services.

Question 36

What is Autoridade Nacional de Emergência e Proteção Civil?

Accepted Answer

The National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (*Autoridade Nacional de Emergência e Proteção Civil*) is Portugal's national agency that plans for, coordinates and leads responses to disasters, including floods, storms and forest fires. It issues weather warnings (for example, orange alerts) and mobilises resources across districts during emergencies.

Question 37

What is Braga Hospital?

Accepted Answer

Hospital de Braga is the main public hospital serving the Braga district and is part of Portugal's national health service (*Serviço Nacional de Saúde* or *SNS*). It provides emergency care and specialist services including oncology, and recent reports said cancer patients there complained of medicine shortages, so residents should check with their doctor or local pharmacy before appointments.

Question 38

What is Candida auris?

Accepted Answer

Candida auris is an emerging, often multidrug‑resistant yeast that can cause serious bloodstream and invasive infections, especially in hospitalized or immunocompromised patients. It spreads in healthcare settings, can persist on surfaces, is hard to treat with standard antifungals, and the first identified cases in Portugal are significant for hospital infection‑control measures rather than indicating widespread community risk.

Question 39

What is carbon monoxide?

Accepted Answer

Carbon monoxide (*monóxido de carbono*) is a colorless, odorless gas produced when fuels burn incompletely (gas, wood, petrol, diesel, generators). It binds to blood and reduces oxygen delivery, causing headache, dizziness, nausea and can be fatal; if you suspect exposure, get fresh air immediately, call emergency services (112) and seek medical attention. For home safety, install battery-backed CO detectors and have heating appliances and chimneys inspected annually.

Question 40

What is Cáritas and why does it matter in reports about housing vulnerability in Portugal?

Accepted Answer

Cáritas is the Catholic Church’s charity network that operates in Portugal as Cáritas Portuguesa, providing emergency aid, food banks, shelters and social support to people in need. In stories about housing vulnerability it matters because Cáritas often helps homeless people, migrants and families facing eviction and can direct residents to local assistance or temporary accommodation.

Question 41

What is centros de saúde and why does it matter in the Litoral Alentejano protests?

Accepted Answer

A *centro de saúde* (health center) is a local primary-care clinic that provides general practice, nursing, vaccinations, child and chronic-disease care, and referrals to hospitals. They matter in the Litoral Alentejano protests because closures, understaffing or reduced services force people to travel farther for care; residents should register with their local health center to get a family doctor and prescriptions.

Question 42

What is cereulide and why is its presence worrying in infant formula?

Accepted Answer

Cereulide is an emetic toxin produced by certain strains of the bacterium Bacillus cereus; it is heat- and acid-stable, so it can survive processing and cause rapid-onset vomiting and, in rare cases, more severe illness. Because infants are especially vulnerable, detection of cereulide in formula typically triggers recalls — if your product is affected, stop using it, keep the packaging for batch information and contact a pediatrician if your baby shows vomiting, fever or signs of dehydration.

Question 43

What is chikungunya and why could rising temperatures increase its spread in Europe?

Accepted Answer

Chikungunya is a mosquito‑borne virus (carried mainly by Aedes species) that causes fever, joint pain and fatigue; most people recover but some have long-lasting joint problems. Warmer temperatures expand the habitat and season for the transmitting mosquitoes, so climate-driven warming can raise the risk of local transmission in parts of Europe and increase the chance of outbreaks.

Question 44

What is EMER?

Accepted Answer

EMER is the Mission Structure for Renewable Energies (*Estrutura de Missão para Energias Renováveis*), a government task force created to coordinate renewable‑energy projects and policy across ministries and agencies. In the recent story EMER's staffing decisions became controversial, so companies and communities affected by renewable projects should follow who is appointed and how the structure operates.

Question 45

What is endocrinology?

Accepted Answer

Endocrinology (*endocrinologia*) is the medical specialty that diagnoses and treats hormone-related conditions, including diabetes, thyroid disease, adrenal disorders and pituitary problems. It matters for expats because endocrinologists manage long-term conditions like diabetes and decide treatments such as insulin, glucose sensors and specialist medications.

Question 46

What is Equalmed?

Accepted Answer

Equalmed is a Portuguese non-profit association that researches access to medicines, drug pricing and pharmaceutical spending. Its recent study found Portugal has the lowest pharmaceutical expenditure per citizen among reference countries and estimated 1,577 deaths from treatable conditions in one year linked to access gaps; its findings feed debates that can affect drug prices and prescription costs.

Question 47

What is glaucoma?

Accepted Answer

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, usually associated with raised pressure inside the eye, and can cause irreversible vision loss if untreated. It is a chronic condition managed with pressure‑lowering eye drops, laser therapy, or surgery, so patients should check with their ophthalmologist or pharmacist if prescription substitutions are temporarily allowed.

Question 48

What is Gracia de Orta Hospital?

Accepted Answer

Hospital Garcia de Orta is a public hospital in Almada, on the south bank of the Tagus near Lisbon, serving the Almada–Seixal area with emergency, inpatient and specialist services. Being directed to the clinical observation area means a patient is being short-term monitored inside the emergency department while doctors decide on treatment or admission, so expect standard ED triage and possible wait times.

Question 49

What is GSK?

Accepted Answer

GSK (formerly GlaxoSmithKline) is a British multinational pharmaceutical company that develops and sells medicines and vaccines. Like other drug makers operating in Portugal, it often funds patient associations, medical training and awareness campaigns, so its name appears as a sponsor of health projects.

Question 50

What is the Algarve Central Hospital (*Hospital Central do Algarve*) and why is its approval important?

Accepted Answer

The Algarve Central Hospital (*Hospital Central do Algarve*) is a planned regional hospital for Portugal's Algarve region whose construction was approved by the Council of Ministers with an investment above €420 million under a PPP model. Its approval is important because it should centralise and upgrade regional services, affect local healthcare access and waiting times, and carry a long-term budgetary commitment (the government cites a €1.1 billion total charge).

Question 51

About Hospital de São José

Accepted Answer

Hospital de São José is one of Lisbon’s oldest and largest public hospitals, in the city centre near Martim Moniz, and part of the ULS São José (Unidade Local de Saúde de São José). It runs one of the city’s main emergency departments and specialist services such as neurosurgery and trauma care.

Question 52

What is IGAS and what role can it play after reports of failures in emergency care?

Accepted Answer

IGAS is the Inspectorate-General for Health Activities (*Inspeção-Geral das Atividades em Saúde* or *IGAS*), the government body that inspects and audits public and private health services, investigates complaints and can recommend sanctions or changes. After reported failures in emergency care, IGAS can open inquiries, publish findings and advise the Ministry or the SNS on corrective measures; residents and patients can also file complaints that IGAS may investigate.

Question 53

What is Infarmed?

Accepted Answer

Infarmed (*Autoridade Nacional do Medicamento e Produtos de Saúde*) is Portugal’s national regulator for medicines and health products that approves drugs, monitors safety and enforces rules on pricing and reimbursement. In 2025 it approved 928 new medicines — 79% were generics, 38 were designated essential and 236 were national products — which affects which medicines are available and how much they cost at pharmacies.

Question 54

What is Instituto Superior Técnico?

Accepted Answer

Instituto Superior Técnico (*the engineering school of the University of Lisbon, known as IST*) is Portugal's largest engineering and technology school, founded in 1911, and a leading center for applied research. IST said it carried out a hypersonic test whose speed would cover mainland Portugal north–south in just over five minutes, showing the institute's work in advanced aerospace research.

Question 55

What is Leiria hospital?

Accepted Answer

Leiria hospital (*Hospital de Leiria*) is the main public hospital serving the Leiria district and offers emergency, surgical and inpatient care as part of Portugal's National Health Service (*Serviço Nacional de Saúde* or SNS). In the storm response it treated many severe cases, illustrating the role regional hospitals play in local emergencies.

Question 56

What is lung cancer screening?

Accepted Answer

Lung cancer screening is an organised programme that uses low-dose CT scans to detect lung tumours in people at high risk (typically long-term or heavy smokers) before symptoms appear. Pilot projects, like the one at the Santa Maria Local Health Unit, aim to test logistics and impact by inviting identified high-risk patients for regular scans to reduce deaths from lung cancer.

Question 57

What is Luz Saúde?

Accepted Answer

Luz Saúde is a major private healthcare group in Portugal that operates hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centres across the country. It made headlines in January 2026 when insurer Fidelidade sold a 40% stake in its share capital to Macquarie Asset Management via MEIF 7 MED BIDCO after regulatory conditions were met.

Question 58

What is Medicina Geral e Familiar?

Accepted Answer

General and family medicine (*Medicina Geral e Familiar*) is the medical specialty of family doctors (*médicos de família*), who provide primary care at health centres in the national health service, the SNS (*Serviço Nacional de Saúde*). Family doctors are the first point of contact for most health problems and handle prescriptions, follow-up of chronic conditions and referrals to hospital specialists. Every registered SNS user is meant to have one assigned, but shortages leave many residents without a family doctor.

Question 59

What is mpox and what should expats know about it now?

Accepted Answer

Mpox is the illness formerly known as monkeypox; the World Health Organization approved the shorter name in 2022 to reduce stigma. It is a viral illness spread by close contact, causes fever and a characteristic rash (incubation 5–21 days), and public-health responses include testing, isolation of cases and vaccination with smallpox/mpox vaccines (e.g., Jynneos/Imvanex) for high-risk contacts.

Question 60

What is Multicare?

Accepted Answer

Multicare is the health-insurance brand of Fidelidade, a major Portuguese insurer. It announced it will provide online medical consultations in General and Family Medicine for residents in municipalities hit by the recent storms, giving affected people remote access to care when travel or clinic access is disrupted.

Question 61

What is obesity surgery?

Accepted Answer

Obesity surgery, or bariatric surgery, refers to operations like gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy that change the stomach or digestive tract to treat severe obesity and related conditions. In Portugal the SNS has performed over 19,000 of these procedures in the last five years, with about 1,811 patients currently on the waiting list and an average wait time of nearly five months; patients also need ongoing follow‑up after surgery.

Question 62

What is ocular hypertension?

Accepted Answer

Ocular hypertension means the pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure) is higher than normal—typically above about 21 mmHg—without detectable optic nerve damage or visual field loss. It is a risk factor for glaucoma, so doctors usually monitor it regularly and may start treatment to lower pressure if the risk of progression is judged significant.

Question 63

What is the Ordem dos Enfermeiros and why does its warning about hiring limits matter?

Accepted Answer

The *Ordem dos Enfermeiros* (Order of Nurses) is Portugal’s statutory professional body that registers and regulates nurses, sets professional standards, and handles discipline and professional conduct. Its warning about hiring limits matters because the Ordem represents the nursing workforce—restrictions on recruitment can worsen staff shortages and affect patient care, so expat nurses must be registered with the Ordem to practise and may be directly affected by any new hiring rules.

Question 64

What are planos de saúde?

Accepted Answer

*Planos de saúde* (health plans) are private health insurance or subscription products sold by insurers and clinics that typically cover doctor visits, diagnostic tests and, depending on the plan, hospital care, and they are often used to avoid long public waiting times. The Socialist Party's recent proposal to regulate health cards aims to protect consumers from misleading offers and unclear coverage, so residents should check waiting periods, exclusions and what services are actually covered before buying one.