INEM Boosts Winter Readiness with New Ambulances in Lisbon, Santarém and Algarve
INEM chief Luis Cabral announced the deployment of additional ambulances in three regions as part of winter preparedness.
📌 Key Highlights & Context
- 12 new ambulances dispatched to Lisbon, Santarém and Algarve
- Health professionals increasingly moving to private hospitals for higher pay
- INEM’s new governance aims to strengthen winter operations
New Ambulance Deployment
To ensure uninterrupted emergency care during the cold months, INEM allocated twelve new ambulances across Lisbon, Santarém and the Algarve. The vehicles are positioned at strategic points to meet the surge in demand typical of winter weather.
Shift of Health Workers to the Private Sector
A growing concern is the migration of young doctors and nurses to private hospitals where salaries and working conditions are more attractive. INEM warned that this trend could affect the quality of public emergency services.
- Each new ambulance is equipped with state‑of‑the‑art medical and communication gear.
- Response times in the covered areas have dropped by roughly 15%.
- Additional incentive packages are being drafted to retain public‑sector health staff.