Latest news and stories about emergency services in government in Setúbal, Portugal for expats and residents.
The Almada City Council has extended the municipal alert status regarding water supply until August 31, citing high temperatures and increased tourism despite reservoir levels reaching 78%.
The Portuguese government is considering extending the national state of alert into next week as extreme heat and ongoing wildfires, particularly in Vouzela, continue to threaten the region.
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The Garcia de Orta Hospital faces potential overcrowding and staffing shortages as it becomes a regional hub following the permanent closure of the Barreiro obstetrics emergency department.
Mayors in Barreiro are opposing the closure of the obstetrics and gynaecology emergency unit, citing that over 16,000 births have occurred there between 2014 and 2024. They find the decision to close the unit incomprehensible, especially in light of ongoing healthcare challenges, such as ambulances being held for hours at other emergency departments due to high patient volumes.
The Almada City Council has extended the alert status due to ongoing landslide risks on the cliffs of Costa da Caparica and Porto Brandão, following several incidents that have occurred since the onset of recent storms.
Update: Ongoing Landslide Risks The municipality of Almada has recorded several landslides on the cliffs of Costa da Caparica and Porto Brandão, a situation that has not yet been resolved.
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has proposed discussions on establishing a disaster fund in Portugal to address damages from increasing natural disasters, such as recent floods. During a visit to the flooded area of Alcácer do Sal, he highlighted the need for financial relief for businesses affected by such calamities, especially those without insurance. He noted that similar funds exist in the European Union and emphasized the opportunity presented by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) to support this initiative.
Clarisse Campos, the mayor of Alcácer do Sal, expressed a sense of hope and community resilience in the aftermath of the recent floods that devastated the municipality. In an interview with CNN Portugal, she emphasized the collective desire to rebuild and support one another during this challenging time.
Authorities in Alcácer do Sal report a 'brutal' and rapid rise in the Sado river's flow but say the situation remains under control. Civil Protection is monitoring conditions, has evacuation plans ready should riverside areas flood, and expects the flow to rise slightly more before beginning a slower fall from around 04:00—timing that will depend on further rainfall and dam management decisions. Updates will hinge on precipitation forecasts and operational releases from upstream infrastructure.
André Morais, coordinator of the Montijo Civil Protection, reinforces that there are reasons for concern regarding the development of large fires in Portugal, given the current situation in Spain and France. The expert laments the lack of investment in prevention.
Inês de Medeiros refused to resign. The mayor also pointed out that Luís Montenegro's government took advantage of the situation to shift focus away from the national exams controversy.
Almada without water, Portugal out of the World Cup and Marine Le Pen convicted. Three events that dominate the news and were debated on Geração V.
The water supply disruption in the Almada municipality highlights the consequences of neglecting essential infrastructure. It is not an unexpected problem or a fatality, but the result of decades of underinvestment. The article criticises the local administration, led by Inês de Medeiros, for failing to modernise the network despite available funds and for shifting blame onto residents and tourists. Ultimately, the author argues that the quality of governance reflects the choices made by citizens, warning that if voters continue to accept poor management, the democratic system itself is at risk of being undermined by populism and demagoguery.
The City Council met with the regulatory body and the APA and decided to reinforce technical teams for the urgent detection and repair of leaks and bursts. Non-essential water use is prohibited.
There are still three people being observed in the General Emergency services. The accident also resulted in two deaths. Meanwhile, in the World Cup, Argentina beat Egypt 3-2 and is through to the quarter-finals.
There are still 59 people missing. The information comes from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Additionally, the Almada City Council will prohibit non-essential water usage to restore reserves in the municipality.
Despite some improvement in weather conditions, the risk of fire remains high in a large part of the country. The Civil Protection coordinator for Montijo, André Morais, explains why the coming days still require caution and makes an appeal.
Portugal has activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism and bilateral agreements with Spain and Morocco due to the wildfires, the Prime Minister announced, assuring that national capacity is not exhausted. We are following all developments here, minute by minute.
The deputy mayor of Almada, Filipe Pacheco, argues that the country must be better prepared to respond to emergency situations. During the CNN Portugal Summit on “Health Resilience in the Face of Complex Emergencies”, the official highlighted the importance of prevention, cooperation between entities, and investment in healthcare.
André Morais, coordinator of the Montijo Civil Protection, explains that the municipality has prepared climate shelters and reinforced support for the elderly and the most vulnerable. The official warns that extreme heat can be fatal and asks the population to follow the authorities' recommendations.
The administrator gives a positive assessment of the regional obstetrics emergency department and has five doctors who may be hired. However, he acknowledges that the ULS faces “numerous constraints” regarding human resources.
There are dozens of medical emergency vehicles that are out of service due to a lack of personnel.
André Morais, an expert and municipal coordinator of Civil Protection in Montijo, explains what is being prepared by the authorities to minimise fire risk with the arrival of high temperatures.
The President of the Republic visited the Montijo Air Base. He arrived by helicopter, sat in the cockpit, and watched explosions caused by F-16 fighter jets. Already thinking about the summer, he hopes for a “successful” mission.
Regarding total closures, the Setúbal Peninsula stands out again, with emergency services closed on 34.9% of days.
The Nossa Senhora do Rosário Hospital closed its gynaecology and obstetrics emergency department this Wednesday. The local council refuses to accept the move and promises to reverse the Government's decision.
The centralized emergency service will operate across two sites: one at Garcia de Orta in Almada and another at São Bernardo in Setúbal. The Minister believes this solution will ensure safety for patients.
The Health Minister promises “predictability and security” with a new regional emergency department. Barreiro has been closed for the equivalent of a full year since 2024.
The executive director of the NHS announced this Wednesday that the regional Gynecology and Obstetrics emergency department of the Setúbal Peninsula will begin operating from April 15th.
Due to a shortage of specialists, the Setúbal Peninsula will implement a centralised obstetrics and gynaecology emergency service across two hubs: Hospital Garcia de Orta in Almada and Hospital São Bernardo in Setúbal. The service at Hospital de Nossa Senhora do Rosário in Barreiro will close for emergencies, though scheduled care will continue. The measure, signed by the Executive Director of the National Health Service (SNS), Álvaro Almeida, and local health unit leaders, aims to ensure clinical safety and operational efficiency, despite opposition from local mayors who are planning a joint protest.
