On Christmas Day, about 190 health centers operate during overtime

The Ministry of Health reported on Monday that 190 health centers will operate during additional hours, in order to ensure response in non-emergency cases and reduce pressure on hospital emergencies.

This Christmas, 187 health centers are operating, providing primary care for “non-emergency cases” such as, for example, mild to moderate respiratory symptoms, according to the ministry.

This measure falls within the strategic plan for the seasonal health response – winter 2023-2024, which aims to “reduce pressure on emergency cases in hospitals.” This plan is being implemented by groups of health centers and regional health departments, in partnership with the executive management of the National Health Service (SNS).

According to the Ministry of Health, this plan, which began on Saturday, seeks to “contribute to educating the population about alternatives to emergency services in the event of an acute, non-emergency illness, with the aim of relieving pressure on these services with services that can be provided in other places in the National Health Service.” .

This plan continued on Sunday, with 191 units operational, and is in effect until Monday, the Christmas holiday, with 187 operational places.

In this context, residents should call the SNS 24 line (808 24 24 24) in non-emergency cases, such as mild to moderate respiratory symptoms, before going to the emergency room, to obtain advice and possible referral to the nearest health unit. In case of emergency, citizens should call 112.

For the responsible Ministry, “the appropriate use of health services allows timely response to patients, which is crucial to improving the performance of the network of National Health Service units,” while recognizing the commitment of health professionals, especially in this Christmas season. .

The executive management of SNS said: “With the beginning of next year and the renewal of the availability of professionals to carry out additional work, a general normalization of the work of emergency services is expected.”