Latest news and stories about public safety in health in Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal for expats and residents.
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.
A boy was seen being sexually abused in a bathroom by a 13-year-old boy from another institution. The victim was taken to the hospital and examined.
Loures-Odivelas and Western Lisbon are on yellow alert; São José, Santa Maria, and Amadora-Sintra are under reinforced surveillance. The National Health Service warns of risks to the elderly and chronically ill.
The process aims to establish the facts related to reports of alleged harassment involving a manager at the Western Lisbon Local Health Unit (ULS), states the IGAS. Officials report a toxic environment at the hospital.
Illegal practice persists and is dominated by harvesters from Eastern Europe, despite a decrease in activity.
Público highlights this Tuesday, June 9, that INEM's negative balance soared to 7.6 million euros last year. According to the newspaper, despite budget reinforcements, the institute's financial health worsened, with transfers to firefighters and personnel expenses cited as the reasons. The paper also reports that medicinal cannabis brings together the partners of Eurico Castro Alves and Marco António Costa. Jornal de Notícias writes that over a million Portuguese people were on medical leave last year, with the state spending 2.3 million euros per day on sickness benefits. Observador notes that the government has changed two-thirds of hospital administrations in two years, with the vast majority of new presidents having ties to the PSD. Correio da Manhã reports that fake bankers stole one million from clients. Expresso features a Forbidden Stories investigation into the murders and kidnappings of critics of the Mozambican government. Diário de Notícias reports that Lisbon City Council is launching tenders for all 163 management positions. Negócios highlights that only 115 euros separate the minimum wage from the median wage and reports a revenue-sharing dispute between ANA and the State. Eco reports that Brussels has returned responsibility to Portugal for the delay of the SAFE check.
Anyone with a fever above 38 degrees, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, anorexia, abdominal pain, and haemorrhaging, and who has been in areas with virus circulation, should be considered a suspected case.
The virus that causes Ebola, a highly contagious haemorrhagic fever, has already been detected in three provinces and in neighbouring Uganda.
A petition signed by 130 middle managers warns of the operational collapse of the Western Lisbon Local Health Unit
Her 51-year-old husband was seriously injured and was transferred to S. José Hospital in Lisbon.
The Prosecutor General denies any political motivation behind this Public Prosecution Service operation. Also in this news bulletin, the Health Emergency Plan with 40% of its measures yet to be implemented.
The error occurred when the surgeon indicated the right foot instead of the left for the procedure. The hospital is required to conduct training sessions and comply with safety regulations.
A surgeon operated on the wrong foot of a minor. The hospital indicates an isolated failure, and the Health Regulatory Entity suggests corrective measures.
A doctoral thesis at ISCTE shows that falls on the pavement are the cause of many deaths from pneumonia
The Pre-Hospital Emergency Technicians Union (STEPH) has called for a vigil at 10:00 am this Thursday, May 21, in front of the Ministry of Health in Lisbon. The protest follows the Government's approval of the Organic Law two weeks ago. The union criticises the lack of prior debate regarding the law and fears it will lead to a severe reduction in INEM's national response capacity, specifically citing the potential transfer of medical emergency ambulances to Local Health Units (ULS), which they fear will dismantle the institute's operations. The protest also highlights the ongoing need for a career review for these professionals.
The patient was taken to Curry Cabral Hospital, from where they have already been discharged.
Health authorities initiated safety protocols following a suspected hantavirus case, which was subsequently ruled out by negative test results.
Health authorities initiated a protocol following a suspected case of hantavirus, but the patient's test results returned negative.
The patient was taken to Curry Cabral Hospital, from where they have already been discharged.
A person with symptoms associated with hantavirus was admitted to the emergency department at São Francisco Xavier Hospital. The test performed was negative and the patient has been discharged.
The vigil on the 21st is scheduled for 10:00 AM in front of the Ministry of Health in Lisbon.
