The Inspectorate-General of Health Activities (IGAS) has opened an inquiry into the shocking case of an INEM helicopter in the Algarve, which has been out of service for weeks.
Both the National Institute of Medical Emergencies (INEM) and the Algarve Local Health Unit have been asked to provide clarifications and have ten days to respond to IGAS.
The inquiry follows an incident in which a critically ill baby had to be transported by ambulance from Faro to Lisbon on Saturday. The child, born on Friday at Portimão Hospital with a brain haemorrhage, was transferred to Faro due to the complexity of the case. As the baby’s condition worsened, doctors decided to move the infant to Lisbon’s Dona Estefânia Hospital, where they remain in intensive care.
The baby, born late on Friday, was initially transferred to Faro Hospital for neurosurgical assessment. However, the severity of the condition required a second transfer to Lisbon.
The medical team overseeing the case requested air transport from INEM, but the helicopter stationed in Loulé was declared unavailable. Sources told journalists that the issue stemmed from a lack of essential medical equipment and supplies needed for the mission.
INEM confirmed that the aircraft was not in operational condition and stated that it would remain out of service until at least Monday.
The helicopter is one of four INEM aircraft designed for 24-hour operation, including the capacity to transport incubators, allowing for the safe transfer of newborns between hospitals.
That is what should have happened in this case, but the helicopter failure made it impossible.
Compounding the situation, the helicopter based in Évora, which could have served as a backup, was grounded due to adverse weather conditions, ruling out any air transport for the baby.
It was also reported that the Loulé helicopter had originally been assigned to the Viseu base, but resources were later reallocated.
With no air option available, the newborn had to make the 270-kilometre journey from Faro Hospital to Lisbon’s Dona Estefânia Hospital by ambulance. The child arrived in critical condition and remains in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Upon seeking clarification from both the Algarve Local Health Unit and Dona Estefânia Hospital, no response was received. It is feared that the delay in specialised care may have worsened the baby’s condition.
In a statement, INEM explained that air transport could not have been provided from either the Évora or Loulé bases due to adverse weather conditions.
“We ensured the response by land, through a Paediatric Inter-Hospital Transport Ambulance, guaranteeing the baby’s safe transfer under medical supervision,” the statement read.
