The Health Service of the Autonomous Region of Madeira has assured that all health care is guaranteed for users affected by the fire that broke out on August 14th, the regional institution stated in a press release.
The Health Service (Sesaram) adds that the centers in the affected municipalities have been reinforced with health professionals and are “fully operational.”
According to the note, the Curral das Freiras Health Center (CSCF), in the municipality of Câmara de Lobos, was opened on Saturday and will remain in operation “uninterruptedly” until Monday, when it resumes its normal operating hours.
Since opening, the CSCF has received 21 patients and made two transfers to Dr. Nélio Mendonça Hospital in Funchal.
The Urgent Care Service (SAU) at Ribeira Brava Health Center received eight patients with reduced mobility and three fire-related patients on Saturday and Sunday.
On the other hand, two patients were admitted to the SAU at Câmara de Lobos Health Center today.
“Dr. Nélio Mendonça Hospital is equipped and reinforced with the necessary technical means and human resources to respond to urgent and emergency situations,” Sesaram emphasizes.
Given the complexity of the situation, several teams have been activated, the service states, ending the press release with thanks for the “exceptional work that has been carried out by all health professionals.”
Madeira is being hit by a large fire that broke out on Wednesday morning in Serra de Água, Ribeira Brava municipality, in an area of difficult access, and then spread to the neighboring municipality of Câmara de Lobos.
At least 160 people have been evacuated from their homes due to the fire in the two municipalities, a source from the Regional Secretariat for Health and Civil Protection told Lusa today.
According to the latest official report released by the Regional Civil Protection Service at 08:30 AM, three fronts were active in the areas of Curral das Freiras and Fajã das Galinhas, in the municipality of Câmara de Lobos, and in Serra de Água.
The flames are being fought by 120 operatives from all fire departments in the region, supported by 43 vehicles and the archipelago’s air resources. As of today, the region also has the support of 76 members of the joint force from the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority.
The Regional Civil Protection Emergency Plan of the Autonomous Region of Madeira (PREPCRAM) has been activated to respond to “the severity of the situation experienced.”
All areas of Madeira are under an orange warning from the Portuguese Institute of Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) for hot weather, while Porto Santo Island is under a yellow warning.
The yellow warning, the least severe on a three-level scale, is issued by IPMA whenever there is a risk situation for certain activities dependent on the meteorological situation, while the orange warning (the second level) is issued when there is a moderate to high-risk meteorological situation.
