The national healthcare in Portugal (SNS) is having a major problem after stretching itself to the limit during the pandemic of C-19, what was already in the edge of collapsing is now showing its weak points. Only 3 specialists were working at the emergency ward for obstetrics in my hometown Hospital, a few days ago, those 3 did the work of 11 professionals... eleven!... Can you imagine yourself doing the work of 3 people all at the same time?!
I was pregnant and deliver my second baby in this same hospital only a few days before the chaos began. I could say I was extremely lucky, as well all other ladies that went through delivery right before.
When I went to the delivery ward, I could notice immediately something was completely different from the first time I deliver there my firstborn, just 3 year ago, but I assumed at first it was still the pandemic restrictions going on.
After all, they were already experiencing some difficulties with staff.
The problem is being replicated all over the country in major Hospitals! Hospitals that due to the lack of staff are forced to close their emergency wards during the night or weekends in tandem, so they can secure people health and safety.
Pregnant ladies are now also forced to do extra miles, to other hospitals away from their residence, so they can deliver safely their babies, unfortunately it happened already a death of a newborn thanks to this insane situation.
