The obstetrics and gynecology emergency at Hospital do Barreiro will close this Wednesday, despite strong opposition from the population. The service will be replaced by a new regional emergency department on the Setúbal Peninsula, which will operate at Hospital Garcia de Orta, in Almada.
Unable to solve the problem of the lack of doctors on the scales, the Government opted to close of services and the first to fall on the South Bank is obstetric emergency from Barreiro hospital.
With these changes, pregnant women in labor residing in the district of Setúbal, including emergency situations, are forced to travel, in some cases, more than 50 kilometers to Hospital Garcia de Orta, already known for the high pressure on services.
“This is not viable for users, it is not the solution (…) the solution is to hire more professionals”, said Antonieta Bodziony, president of the Barreiro Users Commission.
In protest, 12 user organizations of public services to revive the voice of protest.
“The minister has to go back, even though it has already been published in Diário da República. Barreiro has to have the maternity hospital open full time”, stated Antonieta Bodziony.
Despite criticism, the Government maintains the decision and argues that the new model of regional emergencies in gynecology and obstetrics is reformist do e intends to avoid temporary closures, especially during the summer. Last month, the
The measure comes after the which also generated criticism, including from local mayors.
