The Medical Association (Ordem dos Médicos or OM) has warned of a structural deficit of over 600 anaesthesiologists within the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS). The organization is calling for a national strategy to attract and retain specialists to prevent further service disruptions in public hospitals.
Medical Association warns of anaesthesiologist shortage
Friday, 4 September 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
The Ordem dos Médicos is Portugal’s professional medical association that registers doctors, enforces ethical rules and can discipline members. It issues formal opinions and can challenge health policies or laws, so its objections matter when a programme like the Waitlist Recovery Programme changes how patients are referred or treated.
If you need emergency care and a local ED is understaffed, call 112 for life‑threatening situations or contact the national health triage line (SNS 24) for urgent guidance; the operator can direct you to the nearest hospital with capacity or arrange an ambulance. As an expat, also consider local private hospitals or clinics if available and keep your health insurance details and ID ready to speed up admission.
