Private healthcare providers now perform nearly 40% of all medical procedures in Portugal, including surgeries and diagnostic exams, according to recent data. The federation representing these private entities describes their role as a structural network that complements the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS). This collaboration includes approximately 150 million procedures contracted annually to support public health capacity.
Private sector handles 40% of NHS medical procedures
Monday, 6 April 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
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.
