At a time when hospital emergencies are under pressure due to the peak of the flu season, with waiting times exceeding 10 hours in some units in Lisbon and Vale do Tejo (LVT), Manuel Pizarro recalls the “chronic problem” of “excessive attendance at emergencies” and calls on citizens to first call INEM (in urgent cases) or SNS24 (in less serious cases), before going to hospitals.

“We have had a very significant increase in contacts on the SNS24 line”, acknowledged the official, in statements broadcast by RTP3, on the sidelines of the official reception ceremony for the new resident doctors and pharmacists, in Coimbra.

“Since December 26th and until January 2 more than 62 thousand calls have been received and we have been able to gradually improve service in some hospitals during this period”, he said, giving the example of the Coimbra Hospital and University Center ( CHUC), which on Tuesday registered “great pressure on the emergency room with more than 700 visits”.

“Still, for the first time and on a day that was not a normal work day, the health centers were open and provided 356 visits, which means that we managed to get a third of people treated in primary health care. This is what we have to do gradually”, he detailed.

The minister recognizes that “when there are very large flows it is more difficult for care to be provided promptly”, but points out that “globally the Portuguese are very well cared for in the NHS, including in emergencies”. However, he warns: “The next two weeks will be the most difficult period for seasonal flu.”