The action was called by two unions, the National Doctors’ Union (FNAM) and the Independent Doctors’ Union (SIM), and confirmed following a forum between the two held on Monday.
It comes after months of talks with the government have failed to achieve any progress on their demands.
Doctors are asking for the number of patients per family doctor to be reduced as well as a reduction in the number of compulsory hours they have to work per week in hospital emergency units, from 18 to 12.
In related news, Portimão Hospital has come under fire after a team of anaesthetists had to revive a newborn baby following complications during childbirth last Saturday night.
The intervention should have been carried out by a paediatrician, but there were none of the specialists in the hospital’s ER unit on duty.
The situation occurred during one of two deliveries performed at the Portimão Hospital on Saturday night.
Portimão Hospital’s administration has admitted it has a lack of paediatricians, and babies should not be delivered without one being present.
It explained that when labours occur without a paediatrician on duty, the mothers are transferred to Faro Hospital; however, that would not cover emergency situations.