In a statement sent to Lusa, INEM explains that “the current phase of easing of lockdown and the seasonal movements that traditionally take place during the summer months lead to an increase in activity” of the Integrated Medical Emergency System (SIEM) in certain geographic areas.

This addition serves, therefore, “to safeguard and guarantee an effective response” by the SIEM “to situations of accident or sudden illness”.

INEM has developed a plan to reinforce the emergency services while taking into account the geographic areas and demands of the population.

In the north of the country, the municipality of Terras de Bouro will now have two Medical Emergency Posts located in the Voluntary Fire Service of Terras de Bouro and in the delegation of the Portuguese Red Cross of Rio Caldo.

In the central region, a Medical Emergency Post will be operating in the Portuguese Red Cross delegation in Vilar Formoso.

The municipalities of Montijo, Grândola and Odemira will also have a reinforcement of the pre-hospital assistance activity, through Medical Emergency Posts located, respectively, in the Voluntary Fire Departments of Canha, Grândola and Vila Nova de Mil Fontes.

The Algarve region will have at its disposal five additional emergency means, through Medical Emergency Posts located in Ferreiras (Portuguese Red Cross in Silves), Fuseta (Portuguese Red Cross in Olhão), Almancil (Portuguese Red Cross in Faro-Loulé) and Albufeira (Albufeira Volunteer Firefighters), in addition to the opening of an Emergency Medical Ambulance in Tavira.

Also in the Algarve, INEM will provide External Automatic Defibrillation devices to the Voluntary Firefighters of Tavira and Olhão for use in the Barreira Islands (Tavira and Armona).