Two more people died this Wednesday waiting for help. MP investigates case in Seixal

After a man died in Seixal after waiting three hours for help, there were two more deaths this Wednesday in similar situations, with a woman losing her life in Sesimbra and a man in Tavira.

A woman who was in cardiorespiratory arrest died, on Wednesday, at Quinta do Conde, in Sesimbra, after waiting more than 40 minutes for help, the commander of the Carcavelos Volunteer Firefighters confirmed to Lusa.

The Carcavelos Volunteer Firefighters were called at 2:00 pm to provide assistance to the victim, who was in respiratory distress, 35 kilometers awayhaving arrived at 2:44 pm, when the woman was already in cardiorespiratory arrest, João Franco told Lusa.

However, an INEM medical emergency vehicle arrived at the scene, resuscitation maneuvers were carried out, but death was eventually declared at the scene, said the fire commander.

In a post on Facebook, the Carcavelos Volunteer Firefighters state that, “despite the prompt departure from the barracks, the distance between the two locations inevitably affected the time taken to arrive at the scene. In situations of cardiorespiratory arrest every minute is crucial — for every minute that passes without resuscitation maneuvers, the victim loses around 10% chance of survival.”

Firefighters emphasize that “this type of incident reminds us of the importance of response times and the proximity of rescue resources, highlighting that, even with the best technical and human preparation, distance is a critical factor in the likelihood of successful resuscitation”.

Questioned by journalists at the entrance to a meeting about this case with the president of the League of Portuguese Firefighters (LBP), António Nunesthe president of INEM, Luís Cabralstated that he does not currently have information to respond.

“I can’t comment on every situation right now. Now, if there is any such news, I will take care to find out and we will, as INEM, give the news we have to give on this matter”, stated Luís Cabral.

Also asked about what is failing, the president of LBP, António Nunes said he does not know what is failing.

“What we know is that the system is not working well (…) but not for now”, he highlighted.

António Nunes stated that “if the conclusion is reached that it is the firefighters who are not fulfilling their mission, let them say, because they assume their responsibilities“.

“So far this hasn’t happened. I’m not saying that all cases are 100% successful, that won’t happen. We cannot continue to systematically have flu spikes, as happens every year, situations like this”, warned the president of the Portuguese Firefighters League.

The National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM) has already opened an internal audit into the case of the woman’s death.

Third death this week alone

This case was advanced by and is the third this week of alleged delay in assistance, after the death of a man in Seixal, who waited three hours for an ambulance, and another in Tavira, who been there for more than an hour waiting for help.

According to a family source interviewed by Lusa, the 68-year-old man from Tavira felt bad at the end of the afternoon on Wednesday, after going to the pharmacy and consuming some syrup.

The time tape of this occurrence, to which Lusa had access, records a first call at 18:07, followed by a second distress call to question the delay in means.

The victim was initially classified as priority 2 (response within 18 minutes), becoming P1 (immediate response) upon the third call from family members, which took place at 6:47 p.m., informing that the man I was already in cardiorespiratory arrest.

The first ambulance was called at 6:42 pm. Tavira’s Immediate Life Support (SIV) vehicle, called at 6:49 pm, an INEM psychological support unit and the police were also sent to the location.

According to the family source, the first aid only arrived at the scene more than an hour later of the initial distress call.

INEM has already opened an internal audit into the man’s death in Seixal. The case is also being investigated by the General Inspection of Health Activities (IGAS) and the Public Ministry.