The Portuguese National Health Service faces a serious shortage of anaesthesiologists, a situation that is recognized by the Medical Association and denounced by the National Federation of Doctors (FNAM). This shortage directly affects the response capacity of public hospitals throughout the country.
According to the Medical Association, approximately 600 additional anaesthesiologists would be needed to address the existing gaps in the SNS. This estimate highlights the extent of the problem that the health system currently faces.
The shortage of professionals in this specialty has significant consequences for patients, including delays in scheduled surgeries and greater pressure on the doctors who remain in the system. The situation reflects a broader problem of retaining health professionals in the public sector.
