Algarve receives 'Angels' award, for its ability to detect and treat stroke cases
Yesterday, the Algarve was distinguished with the 'Angels' award, for being the Portuguese region to be the best prepared in Portugal to detect and treat patients with a stroke.
“This means that, despite having a region that is normally known as having a lack of medical care, we are the best organised to treat stroke cases,” said the president of the Algarve Intermunicipal Community (AMAL), António Miguel Pina.
The 'Angels' award was presented at a ceremony held in Faro, which highlighted the fact that the Algarve has been, since 2024, the first 'Angels' region in Portugal and the second in Europe.
“Yes, the people of the Algarve are better protected now against strokes, but we still have to raise awareness so they can do their part in preventing this disease”, said the mayor of Olhão.
According to the 'Angels' organisation, responsible for awarding the prize, the region's recognition in the detection and treatment of stroke cases “reflects the achievement of important milestones in the Algarve, in terms of quality, coordination and involvement of all stakeholders in the care and treatment” of this disease.
“We are delighted with this distinction, because the Algarve region also needs to have good news. There are things that are being done well in the region”, highlighted Ana Marreiros, from the Algarve Local Health Unit (ULS).
It is necessary to continue working to improve stroke survival rates, despite the 'Angels' award recognizing the commitment of public entities in the Algarve, mainly in the health sector, in the fight against the disease. Stroke is the main cause of death and/or disability in Portugal, and it is estimated that one in four people will have to face an accident of this kind in their lifetime. Figures revealed during the ceremony indicate that in the Algarve region, there are an average of 1,300 strokes occurring each year.
The ULS of Algarve, AMAL and the National Institute of Medical Emergencies (INEM) are the main entities that have joined forces in the fight against the disease, but other organisations have also joined this objective.
Around 20 schools across the Algarve already have stroke awareness classes, but the aim is to extend the initiative to all educational establishments in the region.
The Ria Formosa School was the first to join the 'Fast Heroes' project, with two dozen students from this establishment explaining how they pass on to their elders what they learn in class.
The students present assured that they are now better prepared to detect signs of a stroke, such as a person with weakness on one side of the body, with changes or loss of vision, or difficulty speaking.
Once symptoms are detected, you must quickly call 112 to alert them to the need for assistance.
“With this project we want to guarantee a better quality of life for everyone”, said one of the nurses involved in the 'Fast Heroes' project.
W: https://www.angels-initiative.com/angels-awards
Portugal faces yet another snap election
The third snap election in as many years is to take place in May, triggered this time by a controversy involving Prime Minister Luis Montenegro.
As leader of his minority government and the centre-right Social Democratic Party (PSD), Montenegro had worked quite well in coalition with the centre-left Socialist Party (PS). However, this fragile partnership collapsed when the PS rejected a confidence vote called by the prime minister, who faces allegations of a conflict of interests relating to a family-owned business.
A last-minute effort to avoid the confidence vote fell apart when the parties failed to agree on the terms for establishing a parliamentary inquiry into the allegations.
Montenegro, 52, took office last April, but his government came crashing down on Tuesday evening when the confidence vote failed. The PS backed by the right-wing Chega party, voted against him, leaving President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa to set yet another election vote.
The prime minister has said that when he became leader of the PSD in 2022, he transferred control of a law firm he had created to his wife and children. Mr. Montenegro has insisted he has committed no crime and done no wrong.
Last year’s snap election followed the resignation of the PS Prime Minister Antonio Costa amid a corruption scandal within his party. He denied any wrong-going himself and went on to become president of the European Council, a position he still holds.
Written by Len Port
Recent rains mean water levels have risen in the Algarve barragems
The amount of water stored in the western Algarve river basin increased by more than 70% from the end of February to March 10th, following the rain that has fallen over the last week or so in mainland Portugal.
This basin is constantly the one that stores the least water, well below the average.
According to data from the National Water Resources Information System (SNIRH) available today, the western Algarve river basin rose from 20.7% at the end of February to 35.6% up to March 10th.
Also in the south of the country, the Mira river basin rose from 40.4% (at the end of February) to 45.4% (on March 10) and the Arade river basin from 41.8% to 50%.
Still in the Algarve region, where restrictive measures are in force for water use, the Sotavento river basin was at 86.8% on March 10th.
With more rain on the horizon, the good news is that levels are set to rise a little more.
Neighbours of the Cork Factory in Silves given July deadline to halt smoke by Amorim
This has been a long battle that ‘The Neighbours of the Factory’ have contested with Amorim for many years. In the recent quarterly meeting, they have now been promised that the noise levels are being tested to comply with the EU guidelines, and the smoke pollution will stop by 1st July 2025. We wait and see!
On 25th of February 2025, the 14th quarterly meeting was held to follow up and monitor the work to correct environmental anomalies at the Amorim Cork Insulation (ACI) plant in Vale de Lama, Silves.
The meeting was held at Silves Town Hall and was attended by Councillor Maxime Sousa Bispo and representatives of CCDR-Algarve, the Pestana group, the ‘Factory Neighbours’ Residents' Committee and Amorim Cork Insulation (ACS).
We were pleased to have the presence and participation of the Vice-President of CCDR-Algarve, Architect José Pacheco, and the CEO of Amorim Cork Solutions (ACS), Dr João Pedro Azevedo.
The meeting was constructive and cooperative, with Dr João Pedro Azevedo revealing that he was fully aware of the current unsustainable situation regarding atmospheric pollution and that the dates set for the completion of the procedures to correct environmental anomalies remained as previously defined in previous meetings.
We were also informed by Amorim Cork Solutions (ACS) of the conclusion of the noise reduction work, based on recent acoustic measurements. According to Dr João Pedro Azevedo, the objective of complying with the legal limits defined in the General Noise Regulation and causing as little disturbance as possible will have been achieved, and they will be officially informing the Municipality of Silves of this very soon.
In view of this information, the Residents' Committee “Vizinhos da Fábrica” will carry out its measurements and acoustic tests in March and April, to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the measures implemented so far. The Municipality of Silves will also carry out counter-testing of the elements that Amorim Cork Solutions (ACS) will make officially available.
Amorim Cork Solutions (ACS) has also informed us of two different technical solutions for reducing smoke and odours, and is currently in the process of deciding whether to purchase one or both of these solutions, with a view to building the RTO, with performance guarantees.
Amorim Cork Solutions (ACS) reconfirmed its commitment to no longer emit smoke or odours into the atmosphere from 1 July 2025.
Finally, with regard to the dust and ash polluting the properties of the neighbouring population, Amorim Cork Solutions (ACS) will endeavour to implement corrective measures, based on studies that are already being carried out and which will involve relevant decision-making, which is also underway.
The next follow-up meeting, to be held on 5 May 2025 at 3pm, should bring news on the status of all the procedures for correcting environmental anomalies that are underway.
We would all like to thank the permanent municipal executive of Silves Town Council for their support and commitment in carrying out this participatory process, which aims to correct the environmental anomalies of the Corticeira Amorim factory in Vale da Lama, Silves, with the consequent reduction in pollution caused by its operation, and to improve the relationship between Amorim Cork Insulation (ACS) and the neighbouring population, contributing to a more integrated and participatory community in resolving matters of public interest in the environmental field.
Facebook: PoluicaoSilves
Portimão to potentially have two more viaducts, two more roundabouts and a larger tunnel
If plans come to fruition, Portimão may soon have two more viaducts, two more roundabouts and a larger tunnel, with the aim to eliminate vehicle traffic in the city.
One of the viaducts is practically a reality. It passes over the railway line in an area close to the station and ends at the Portimão Arena roundabout.
The aim is to eliminate vehicle traffic at the level crossing. Therefore, when this viaduct is in operation, anyone travelling from the city towards the hospital will have to use this viaduct, or the Cardosas exit from Avenida Paul Harris.
This is a project carried out by the company Infraestruturas de Portugal and is included in the project to electrify the Algarve railway line.
However, one of the other measures included in Portimão's traffic plan is the construction of another viaduct and a roundabout. They will be located next to the old bridge and will allow drivers to go down to the area behind the sardine restaurants. From there, you can continue, for example, towards the aforementioned viaduct over the level crossing, which is currently in an advanced stage of construction.
The traffic plans also include extending the Cardosas tunnel a few more metres, to an area located between the two fuel stations next to the road leading to the hospital roundabout. The possibility of building a roundabout in this area, right above the tunnel, is also being studied.
Another option on the table is to create another road connecting to the hospital roundabout. Therefore, drivers leaving the city via the viaduct over the railway, after passing Portimão Arena and the Employment Centre, could continue straight ahead along the new road, without having to use the one that connects Cardosas to the Hospital.
For now, all that is certain is the construction of the viaduct over the railway line, which is nearing completion.
Portimão Council should soon make a public announcement of final decisions on all other plans, and other possible changes to traffic circulation, as well as the launch of the respective projects and competitions.
EU leaders stand firm against Trump
Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro was in Brussels last week, for Thursday’s emergency summit to thrash out defence plans for Ukraine and the entire continent, in the face of Russian aggression and the lack of solidarity from the Trump administration.
Leaders from 26 of the 27 European nations attending the summit reached a commitment to work closely together to bolster support for Ukraine and increase the continent's security. Predictably, the only exception was Hungary’s Victor Orbán.
Mr Montenegro made it clear that the summit was of great importance. Speaking to reporters on the sideline of the meeting, Mr Montenegro said: “Our expectation is that we can take very big steps towards the EU’s participation in a peace process that everyone wants for Ukraine.” He noted that the EU will provide €150 billion in loans to member nations, but would not be drawn on the possibility of a snap election quite soon in Portugal
As a loyal supporter of the European Union for decades, and a founding member of NATO in 1949, Portugal, like nearly all other EU and BATO member states, is deeply concerned about President Trump’s increasingly erratic and unpredictable decisions.
Portugal’s stance in the current defence crisis is neither erratic nor unpredictable— nor is that of Europe’s most influential leader, President Emmanuel Macron, who recently met with Mr Montenegro during the French president’s state visit to Lisbon. Their position is unambiguous: they will continue to back Ukraine against Russian aggression and fully support the EU and NATO, with or without United States backing.
Prime Minister Montenegro and the other European leaders are trying to work out the problem of money: how to dramatically raise funds to meet the need for far greater defence spending.
As part of the latest discussions in Brussels, the European Commission has proposed invoking an emergency provision that would allow Portugal and all other EU nations to significantly exceed hitherto defence spending limits. The plan includes loans guaranteed by the EU budget.
Written by Len Port
