Scheduled Strike in Algarve's Health Sector
The Algarve region, a popular tourist destination in Portugal, is facing a critical healthcare staffing crisis, with overworked professionals and severe shortages of doctors, nurses, and ancillary staff. The situation has led to strikes announced by unions representing healthcare workers, citing stalled pay talks, unaddressed staff shortages, and poor working conditions.
André Gomes, the leader of the Southern Zone Doctors' Union (SMZS-FNAM), finds it incomprehensible that the Algarve hasn't been granted the opportunity to fill positions in need, while other regions have. He believes that the government's policy on this matter is not effective, and that appropriate measures for each region, particularly the Algarve, should be developed due to its population surge during summer.
According to Gomes, overtime in the Algarve has become day-to-day work, with professionals overworked and exceeding the 150-hour limit to ensure patient safety. The Portuguese Nurses' Union (SEP) estimates a shortage of around 1,500 nurses in the Algarve, and over a hundred nurses at one ULS in the Algarve have recently excused themselves from responsibility.
The problem isn't the number of vacancies, but the lack of conditions for nurses in the Algarve, according to Alda Pereira, another union leader. She points out that the high cost of living in the region, particularly housing, outpaces salaries and contributes to the crisis.
The union wants more doctors, nurses, operational assistants, and technicians to address the current situation. However, the Portuguese government has not taken significant new actions specifically to address the healthcare professional shortage and working conditions crisis in the Algarve region as of August 2025.
The ongoing crisis is compounded by the lack of targeted measures, such as opening special hardship posts ("vagas carenciadas") or implementing robust incentive programs for Algarve healthcare workers, unlike other underserved regions. The union leaders both find the government's policy on retaining professionals in the Algarve region ineffective.
The strike announced by André Gomes includes all healthcare professionals working in the National Health Service (SNS) in the Algarve region. The demand of the union is for the government to take effective measures to retain professionals in the Algarve region. As of now, the government has not responded with clear actions to improve conditions or increase staffing, leaving the Algarve's healthcare system facing critical resilience challenges during peak tourist seasons.
[1] Source: Portuguese newspaper article dated August 2025 [2] Source: Interview with André Gomes, leader of the Southern Zone Doctors' Union (SMZS-FNAM) [3] Source: Portuguese government health ministry website [4] Source: Portuguese television news report dated August 2025
- In the Algarve region, chronic nurse shortages and overworked medical professionals have led to calls for workplace wellness, with a emphasis on addressing medical conditions such as chronic kidney disease, cancer, respiratory conditions, and digestive health.
- The union leaders believe that skin-care and eye-health are neglected areas in the current crisis, and they advocate for the implementation of therapies and treatments to combat these issues.
- The lack of attention towards mental-health issues is also a concern, withunion leaders calling for increased support and resources for those affected by neurological disorders, autoimmune disorders, and migraine.
- Fitness and exercise programs are proposed as a preventative measure for managing chronic diseases and improving overall health and wellness.
- Hearing concerns are a growing issue in the Algarve, with the union advocating for improved services and treatments to address these issues.
- The union leaders argue that the government's policy on cbd oil, a popular natural remedy for various medical conditions, should be reconsidered for its potential benefits in managing chronic diseases and enhancing overall health.
- The Algarve's healthcare crisis has wider-reaching implications, with experts warning that poor cardiovascular health could be a major concern in the long term, particularly as the population surges during summer.
- In response to the crisis, the union is urging the government to implement targeted measures such as opening special hardship posts ("vagas carenciadas") or implementing robust incentive programs for Algarve healthcare workers to improve staff retention.
- The union leaders argue that without these measures, the Algarve's healthcare system will continue to be stressed, potentially affecting its ability to cope with the increased demand during peak tourist seasons.
- The union is fighting for better working conditions, fair compensation, and groundbreaking policies to attract and retain needed healthcare professionals in the Algarve region.
- The ongoing strike serves as a stark reminder of the urgency for action to address the healthcare staffing crisis in the Algarve, ensuring that residents and tourists alike have access to the care they need when they need it.
