Over 26,000 Algarve residents to gain access to family doctors

More than 26,000 Algarve residents are expected to gain access to a family doctor following the recruitment of 15 new general practitioners by the Algarve Local Health Unit (ULS Algarve).

The new doctors are among 19 physicians recently added to the organisation’s workforce, alongside four public health specialists, as part of a national recruitment programme launched by the Ministry of Health.

According to ULS Algarve, the arrival of the 15 family doctors will allow primary healthcare services to extend coverage to more than 26,250 additional patients across the region.

The health authority also expects to recruit a further 36 hospital specialists in the coming months, bringing the total number of new doctors to 55.

The hospital recruitment process is currently nearing completion and includes vacancies in several specialties in dire need of new doctors, among them anaesthesiology, paediatrics and obstetrics and gynaecology.

Tiago Botelho, president of ULS Algarve’s board of directors, said the new hires would help expand access to family doctors while strengthening both primary and hospital healthcare services.

According to ULS Algarve, the recruitment drive will also contribute to the generational renewal of its medical workforce and increase its overall capacity to respond to patient needs.

Michael Bruxo

Journalist for the Portugal Resident.