Latest news and stories about government policy in health in Lisboa, Portugal for expats and residents.
Mayors are seeking meetings with political parties to address the negative impact of obstetric emergency service closures on local populations, particularly those in remote areas.
The new President took office in Belém, emphasizing the need for national stability while highlighting critical challenges including an ageing population, healthcare and housing deficits, and a slow judicial system.
Physician João Varandas Fernandes, former vice-president of CDS-PP and Benfica, has been appointed by António José Seguro to the Medical Support Service of the Presidency of the Republic. The appointment, published in the Diário da República, includes a salary equivalent to 83.80% of an advisor's pay. Varandas Fernandes, who publicly supported Seguro's presidential bid, joins other recent appointees to the Civil House, including economist Jorge Marrão and writer Francisco José Viegas. Additionally, the President has selected Adalberto Campos Fernandes to coordinate the Strategic Pact for Health.
The President of the Republic is meeting with all social partners, including the CGTP, which had been excluded from negotiations. Additionally, the Government promises to find a solution for the INEM's debts to the fire departments.
Cristina Vaz Tomé says she was not informed about the strike notices and only learned of the stoppage when she arrived in Lisbon, by which time it was already underway. Her statements were contested by the PS, Chega, and IL.
The Ministry of National Defence and the Independent Doctors' Union (SIM) signed an agreement on Thursday, April 16, to regulate and improve the careers of civilian and military healthcare professionals at the Armed Forces Hospital (HFAR). The agreement resolves a long-standing impasse regarding career progression, including automatic advancement for consultants and the first senior assistant competition in over two decades. Defence Minister Nuno Melo highlighted the move as a priority for military health, also announcing a 14-million-euro investment in a new surgical centre and advanced medical equipment to ensure the hospital remains a centre of excellence.
Imagine the revelry that is going on, of which we have no knowledge.
Francisco Pinheiro Catalão succeeds Francisco Rocha Gonçalves, who was dismissed at his own request.
The President of the Republic, António José Seguro, received the Secretary-General of the PS, José Luís Carneiro, at the Belém Palace.
Francisco Pinheiro Catalão, who replaced Francisco Rocha Gonçalves.
The proposal for the dismissal of the outgoing Secretary of State for Health Management has received the green light from Belém.
The swearing-in ceremony will take place at the Belém Palace at 16:00.
The new government official replaces Francisco Rocha Gonçalves.
For the first time in Portugal, menopause is being established as a matter of public health, equality, and human rights, moving away from being treated as a private, silent process. The topic is the focus of the international forum 'Menopause and Human Rights – From Law to Commitment', taking place in Lisbon, which aims to translate recent legal frameworks into concrete public policies. With approximately three million women in Portugal affected, experts like Cristina Mesquita de Oliveira and Rosa Monteiro argue that institutional support remains insufficient, calling for better medical training, the end of social stigma, and universal access to care to ensure equality in the workplace and beyond.
The webpage provides a collection of recent news highlights related to Portugal, covering various topics such as politics, economy, culture, and international affairs. Key points include the CGTP union's planned visit to the ministry despite not being officially summoned, the departure of Mário Centeno from the Bank of Portugal, and ongoing developments in the Ukraine conflict. Additionally, there are reports on domestic issues like the controversy over meal policies at a school in Cascais, weather forecasts indicating a dry start to the week followed by rain, and updates on health sector complaints and hospital initiatives. The site also features cultural news, including the Oscars' history and lottery results. Overall, it offers a broad overview of current events impacting Portugal across multiple sectors.
Technicians gathered in front of the Ministry of Health in Lisbon.
The situation is concerning, especially as studies conducted by the National Health Service (SNS) hospitals indicate that “30% to 50% of hospitalised patients are at nutritional risk”. This was confirmed to DN by Aníbal Marinho, president of the Portuguese Association of Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition (APNEP), which endorses a document with “10 Recommendations for Clinical Nutrition” to be released on Wednesday, the 5th, at the Strategic Forum on Clinical Nutrition in Lisbon. According to Marinho, this document represents the first coordinated strategic nutritional plan aimed at raising awareness among politicians, government officials, professionals, and society about the issue of clinical nutrition, or rather, malnutrition. The document is supported by six entities, including the Portuguese Society of Oncology and the Portuguese Society of Internal Medicine, highlighting a concerted concern in the sector. The timing of the document's release coincides with the one-year anniversary of a significant achievement in this area, the Portaria n.º 82/2025/1, which defined the co-payment for enteral nutrition. However, the document also aims to alert that while legislative achievements are important, practical integration of Clinical Nutrition in the SNS remains incomplete. Nutritional screening is not uniformly implemented across hospitals and primary care, and barriers persist that hinder the fight against malnutrition in hospitalised patients. Marinho emphasises the need to show that malnutrition is a societal issue, not just one for APNEP or other associations. He recalls that since 2016, initiatives in clinical nutrition have been ongoing, with some successes, but more needs to be done. The strategic plan includes ten recommendations aimed at expanding systematic nutritional risk screening and ensuring continuous training for multidisciplinary teams, among other goals, to improve the management of malnutrition in the healthcare system.
In order to reduce the number of people without a family doctor, the Government has approved the decree-law that allows the creation of health centres managed by the private and social sectors and by local authorities.
The candidate backed by the Socialist Party (PS) began the second phase of his campaign in Odivelas, reaffirming health as a priority. He says he wants to “collaborate” with the government and is awaiting a meeting with the prime minister.
Carneiro and Pedro Nuno Santos criticise Montenegro's 'neutrality': 'It creates a problem for him and harms democracy.' The Socialist candidate says he 'will not stop' and begins tomorrow with visits to health centres in the Lisbon area.
Teresa Almeida was validated by 70% of local councillors in indirect elections. Education and health are due to be transferred to the CCDRs in 2026, while a revision of the PROT will unify 52 municipalities into a single instrument.
Luísa Ximenes resigned from her post, saying there were no conditions to continue carrying out her duties.
Information about the new ward for people found not criminally responsible had already been revealed on Wednesday by the Minister of Justice.
Authorities/experts warn that Lisbon’s high-risk seismic areas are unsuitable locations for sensitive facilities — in particular hospitals — because of the danger posed by earthquakes.
The European Commission has decided to reinforce security checks at Lisbon airport using personnel from the GNR (National Republican Guard) after an inspection uncovered serious failings. Also, five gynaecology and obstetrics emergency departments are closed today.
The Government has removed the third administration of ULS São José (Local Health Unit) in Lisbon.
“The overwhelming majority of times that Garcia de Orta has closed was not due to a lack of obstetricians, but due to a lack of anaesthetists,” assures Carlos Cortes, president of the Medical Association.
The Inspector General of Health states that everyone failed in controlling additional surgeries at Santa Maria Hospital. In a parliamentary committee hearing, it was revealed that the last three boards of directors of Santa Maria are responsible for the abuses committed in the Dermatology Service.
The warning comes from the president of the Medical Association, who urges the Ministry of Health to address the issue promptly.
Following the initial inclusion of the equipment in this year's State Budget, the assembly of Torres Vedras unanimously calls for a “swift and definitive decision” regarding the new hospital.
