“The latest data that I have is that in less than two to three minutes (users) are pre-screened by nurses and in the case of pregnant women, pre-screened by nurses who are specialists in maternal and obstetric health,” Ana Paula Martins told journalists.

The minister assured that the SNS24 line was reinforced to meet the expected increase in telephone calls and that, within the scope of the “Call Before, Save Lives” project, in which citizens are advised to call 112 or Line 808 24 24 before going to a hospital or health centre, “a citizen referred by SUS24 has priority arriving at the emergency room”, when the emerging case is confirmed.

The minister said that there is still "little time" to take stock of adherence to this model for obstetric and gynecological emergencies, preferring to be cautious and recognizing that this is the “third major change in the National Health Service, since its existence in 45 years ”.

In the first 24 hours of joining obstetric and gynecological emergencies, she said, 519 calls were received.

“Around 70% were directed to emergencies, there was a small part in which INEM had to be contacted, which was the most urgent, most emergent situation, and the rest went to consultations in primary health care and open consultation in a hospital.”

According to data provided by the Shared Services of the Ministry of Health, of the total of 519 pregnant women, 24 were referred for self-care, 95 for primary health care, 382 for emergency services and 18 for INEM.