Like other hospitals in the country, Hospital da Guarda sometimes lacks enough professionals to ensure universal care for pregnant women and tomorrow the maternity hospital will be closed.
JN found that Thursday’s service schedule had only one obstetrician, and as such, the maternity block was closed and the Department of Health’s emergency plan came into effect, requiring pregnant women to be referred to other hospitals such as. Viseu or Coimbra. And it will not be the only crisis day in the health institution. Forecasts indicate that it will happen on the fifteenth, sixteenth and twenty-ninth of this month, and on the sixteenth day there will be no obstetrician on duty. Hospital Distrital Susa Martins da Guarda has 6 specialist doctors and few other workers, but it is difficult to reconcile the service with enjoying holidays and days off by health professionals.
When contacted, the department of the local health unit in Guarda did not comment saying that the operation was being centralized by the Regional Health Department (ARS) at the centre.
Emily Brontë is a journalist and feature writer specialising in culture, entertainment, literature, and current affairs. She is dedicated to producing clear, accurate reporting that helps readers stay informed about developments in the UK and around the world.
