Latest news and stories about public safety in health in Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal for expats and residents.
The Human Resources director of the Western Lisbon Local Health Unit (Unidade Local de Saúde Lisboa Ocidental or ULSLO) has been suspended following allegations of workplace harassment. The director is accused of restraining an employee to a chair with adhesive tape, and the institution has confirmed that disciplinary proceedings are underway.
The human resources director of the Lisbon Western Local Health Unit (Unidade Local de Saúde Lisboa Ocidental or ULSLO), André Coelho Dias, is accused of physically restraining an employee by taping her to a chair to force her to complete a task. The incident follows reports of internal unrest and staff departures at the hospital center, which is currently facing significant operational challenges.
A patient admitted to São Francisco Xavier Hospital in Lisbon with suspected hantavirus has tested negative, according to the Directorate-General of Health (Direção-Geral da Saúde or DGS). The individual, who had recently traveled from a cruise ship affected by an outbreak, was transferred to the Curry Cabral Hospital for specialized testing following standard health protocols.
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.
The General Inspectorate for Health Activities (Inspeção-Geral das Atividades em Saúde or IGAS) has ordered dermatology teams at the Santa Maria Hospital in Lisbon to return over 818,000 euros. The investigation concluded that these payments, made for additional surgeries between 2021 and 2025, were improper. The findings implicate several medical staff, including Miguel Alpalhão, and note that the authorizations were granted by board members serving during that period.
Miguel Alpalhão is a medical professional mentioned in the RTP report about dermatology at Hospital de Santa Maria; the article quotes him in connection with the hospital's request to return undue funds. Those relying on public healthcare should note his comments as part of a wider debate over hospital budgets and service organisation at Santa Maria that could affect dermatology appointments and waiting lists.
Approximately 50 people demonstrated in front of the Ministry of Health in Lisbon this Saturday to demand the continuation of obstetric and gynecological emergency services. The protest, organized by the Movement of Users of Public Services, called for increased investment in the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS).
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.
