The source of the Local Health Unit of Baixo Alentejo (ULSBA) told Lusa that "there is only one doctor scheduled" for this service, so the shifts are not complete.

According to the National Health Service portal, the delivery room at Hospital José Joaquim Fernandes, part of ULSBA, is closed for the same reason.

This weekend, the obstetric emergency department at the Beja hospital was closed for 24 hours, between 8am on Sunday and 8am on Monday, also due to a lack of doctors.

At Beja hospital this was the fourth weekend in a row with problems. The Obstetrics emergency departments in several hospitals have experienced limitations in recent months, a situation that has been happening throughout the country.

The Assistant Secretary of State for Health, Lacerda Sales, recently guaranteed that "nobody will be left without an answer" by the National Health Service (SNS) during the month of August.

In order to inform pregnant women about these restrictions, a platform has been created on the NHS Portal, as proposed by the Monitoring Committee for the Response in Obstetric Emergencies and Delivery Rooms.

Users are advised to consult the platform before going to these health services. For more information, please see https://www.sns.gov.pt/cidadao/servicos-de-urgencia-obstetrica-ginecologica/