The Guidance Centers for Urgent Patients (CODU) experienced difficulties in communications, which forced the activation of contingency plans, a source from the National Institute of Medical Emergencies (INEM) told Lusa this Monday.
“There was a problem with the CODU that is being solved at the moment, but the contingency plans are underway”, said the same source, who referred to a statement for further clarification on this situation.
Meanwhile, the communications system is already fully operational: “At 8:36 pm mobile communications were fully restored and at 8:50 pm the data system” of the Urgent Patients Guidance Centre, said INEM in a statement.
The president of the Union of Pre-Hospital Emergency Technicians (STEPH) confirmed to Lusa that, at the end of the afternoon, there were communication problems in the CODU, which were, at this time, with “phones not working”.
“That means that communications with the media are being made via SIRESP radio (Integrated System of Emergency and Security Networks in Portugal), but not even 112 calls are being forwarded to CODU”, said Rui Lázaro.
INEM’s CODU are the medical emergency centers that coordinate and manage a set of means of assistance — ambulances, emergency and resuscitation medical vehicles, motorcycles and helicopters —, selected based on the clinical situation of the victims.
In a statement, INEM explained, however, that following the regular verification tests of the CODU systems “there was, at 18:05, an incident with the backup of energy supply that motivated the communication breakdown”.
INEM added that it “immediately activated the planned contingency plan, favoring the activation of emergency means through the SIRESP network and using the redundant systems available in terms of mobile telecommunications for answering calls, thus guaranteeing the operation” of the Integrated Medical Emergency System.
According to the institute, steps are being taken from the outset to ensure that the system is reset as soon as possible.
INEM also appealed for the collaboration of citizens, asking them to call 112 only in case of emergency.
For counseling situations, they should turn to the Contact Center of the National Health Service, through 808 24 24 24, which will allow the CODU of INEM to only receive calls for real medical emergencies, underlined the statement.
112 is the European Emergency Number, which is common, in addition to the health area, to other situations such as fire, robbery or theft. Calls made to 112 are answered by the PSP and the GNR and calls relating to help in the health area are only channeled to the INEM CODU.
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