Health Minister Ana Paula Martins announced that a new regional emergency service (urgência regional) will open in the Setúbal Peninsula on April 15 to improve predictability in care. The announcement followed an incident where a woman gave birth in a hospital parking lot, which the minister cited as evidence that the current model is failing. Martins also admitted that legislative changes are being prepared to reduce waiting times for surgeries, particularly in cardiac specialties.
New regional emergency services to open in Setúbal Peninsula
Monday, 30 March 2026AI summary

Context & Explainers
Ana Paula Martins is Portugal's Health Minister (Ministra da Saúde), and in this story she expressed concern about 'untruths' circulating regarding the National Health Service. She also said that waiting times for initial assessments during the current flu season have fallen this year, a point meant to reassure patients relying on public care.
Sources (3)
- Minister admits legislative revisions to speed up waiting times but warns that "it will not be possible to solve everything quickly"CNN Portugal · 3:35pm, 30 Mar 2026
- Health Minister admits new ordinances for surgeryObservador · 4:36pm, 30 Mar 2026
- Minister says birth at the doors of Santa Maria proves need for regional emergency servicesCorreio da Manhã · 4:16pm, 30 Mar 2026




