In a statement, the South Zone Doctors' Union (SMZS-FNAM) says that the Ministry of Health is responsible for not curbing the lack of paediatric doctors in the Local Health Unit (ULS) in the Algarve, leading to limited functioning of paediatric emergencies and birthing blocks.

“The health of children in the region is in danger and there have been no paediatricians in the emergency room for days, a situation that will worsen at the end of the year”, warns SMZS-FNAM.

Therefore, the Union demanded the urgent intervention of the Minister of Health, Ana Paula Martins, given the lack of paediatric doctors in hospitals in Faro and Portimão, and a meeting with the Board of Directors of ULS do Algarve, for which it did not obtain any response.

“The limitation in the number of paediatricians available has forced the concentration of night emergency functions on a single paediatrician assigned to the paediatric and neonatal intensive medicine service – a fundamental service for more serious cases –, being responsible for five neonatal intensive care posts, 12 intermediate care units and three paediatric intensive care units”, warns the union.

According to the note, this doctor is cumulatively responsible for continuous care in the delivery room, support for newborns hospitalized in the postpartum period, and guidance on paediatric inter-hospital transport.

“In extreme situations, this single doctor may have to choose between helping a newborn who needs resuscitation, receiving a critical patient in the emergency room or treating a complex disease situation in the ward”, says the note.

According to the union, the situation will worsen as the ULS Algarve paediatric rotations do not have any paediatricians available for tonight and during the day and night on the 24th and 25th of December.

“These unprecedented failures seriously compromise the safety and quality of care provided to children in the Algarve, with the Ministry of Health and its inaction to resolve the lack of doctors in the SUS being responsible for this situation”, highlights the union, also warning of the exhaustion and wear and tear of the few remaining paediatricians.

Therefore, SMZS-FNAM says it is essential that the Ministry of Health and the Board of Directors of ULS Algarve "assume responsibilities in order to guarantee the right to health of children in the region" and "prevent the disappearance of paediatricians who remain due to the extreme situation in which they were placed”.