The General Inspection of Health Activities (IGAS) launched this Monday, November 3rd, a process of clarification regarding the transport of a baby in critical condition from the Faro Hospital to the Dona Estefânia Hospital, in Lisbon, by ambulance.
In a statement, IGAS adds that, as part of this process, it asked the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM) and the Algarve Local Health Unit to comment on the case.
The IGAS request comes after a baby in serious condition was transported, on Saturday, from Faro to Lisbon by ambulance because, according to CNN Portugal, the INEM helicopter was not in a condition for transport.
According to CNN, the baby was born with a congenital cerebral hemorrhage at Hospital de Portimão, on Friday, and was urgently transported to Hospital de Faro with a referral for neurosurgery, but given the seriousness of the situation, he had to be sent to Hospital Dona Estefânia, in Lisbon.
According to some media outlets, the medical team asked INEM for the baby to be helitransported to Lisbon, but the helicopter parked in Loulé was unable to carry out the transport.
In a note sent to newsrooms, INEM clarified that the baby could not be transported by helicopters from the bases, Évora or Loulé, “due to adverse weather conditions”.
“INEM ensured the response by land, through the Pediatric Inter-hospital Transport Ambulance, guaranteeing transport and medical care for the baby with maximum safety”, the institute also guarantees.
Several media outlets indicate that the INEM aircraft was inoperable on Saturday.