All six medical emergency ambulances in the Algarve are stopped this Saturday due to lack of resources.
The Union of Pre-Hospital Emergency Technicians (STEPH) reported that the six emergency medical ambulances in the Algarve are all stopped due to lack of resources, at least until 4pm on Saturday.
Speaking to Lusa, the president of STEPH, Rui Lázaroexplained that these medical emergency ambulances are in Portimão, Alcantarilha, Quarteira (two), Faro and Olhão.
Questioned by Lusa, he said that the only operational means available at 1 pm were the four Immediate Life Support (SIV) ambulances, based in Loulé, Lagoa, Tavira and Vila Real de Santo António.
Rui Lázaro said, in the past, that, in order to reinforce the ambulances without human resources to be able to operate, technicians have already been moved from the North and Center regions to Lisbon and the Tagus Valley and Algarve.
Data made available by INEM and published on Friday by the newspaper indicate that, between January and November last year, the institute’s Emergency and Resuscitation Medical Vehicles (VMER) were inoperative for 9,172 hours.
It is necessary to go back to 2013 to find a higher rate of stoppages in what is one of the most differentiated means of aid in the country, made up of a team with a doctor and a nurse. SIV ambulances are manned by a nurse and a pre-hospital emergency technician.
Data relating to last year does not allow us to know the reasons for the unavailability of medical vehicles, but historically the lack of crew is the main justification.
A week ago, the SIC television channel reported that six VMER, from the Lisbon, Vale do Tejo and Alentejo regions, were stopped on Christmas Eve due to lack of resources.
On Friday, the Portuguese Firefighters League (LBP) announced the creation of a ‘task-force’ of four ambulances from the Ajuda, Cabo Ruivo, Camarate and Cascais fire departments for pre-hospital assistance this weekend, but these vehicles are based in Lumiar, on the North bank of the Tagus.
Cancer patient lying on the floor at Coimbra Hospital
The reported the case of a sick oncology that, on Wednesday, he had to lie down on the floor of the emergency room at Coimbra Hospital due to a lack of stretchers.
The 59 year old woman I had been waiting for an ambulance for an hour. He was assured that an ambulance would arrive within an hour, but it did not happen. He ended up going to the hospital by his own means.
Upon arrival at the emergency room at Coimbra Hospital, there were no stretchers available, and it was suggested that she wait seated or in a wheelchair. However, the only position capable of relieving the patient’s pain was lying down.
According to the CM, it was only after the woman was lying on the floor that there was movement, and she was finally transferred to a stretcher. The family accuses the hospital of lacking sensitivity and humanity.
