The shortage of anaesthesiologists in the National Health Service is causing a significant number of resignations among professionals in the field, putting at risk the operation of several operating rooms across the country.
The situation directly compromises the surgical capacity of public hospitals, with hospital units facing threats of operating theatre closures due to the insufficient number of specialised doctors in this area.
The Portuguese Medical Association has expressed concern about the severity of the situation and advocated the urgent need for a national strategy to address the problem. The professional body calls for swift measures that will attract and retain doctors in the NHS, reversing the trend of professionals leaving for the private sector or abroad.
This phenomenon is part of a broader context of difficulties facing the Portuguese public health system in retaining qualified professionals, with anaesthesiologists being particularly affected by working conditions and the pressure on services.
