Portugal has recorded 13 isolated cases of measles so far in 2026, all of which were imported and involved unvaccinated individuals. Health authorities note that high vaccination coverage continues to protect the general population.
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Patients diagnosed with burnout or occupational exhaustion are increasingly being declared fit for work by medical boards (juntas médicas). These cases involve patients who were previously on medical leave but are now being required to return to their jobs following board assessments.
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport states that all psychologist invoices submitted within the 90-day payment window are being paid, claiming that reported delays are due to consultations performed without a valid voucher. The Ministry also announced that automation improvements to the platform supporting the 'Cuida-te' program—which provides free psychological and nutritional consultations for youth aged 12 to 35—will be completed in the coming days to address voucher issuance delays.
A new Ministry of Health order, in effect since Friday 23 October, mandates that doctors working in internal hospital emergency departments must support external emergency services during periods of high pressure or patient influx. The Medical Association and the Independent Doctors' Union have criticized the move, arguing that redirecting resources from the care of admitted, often fragile, patients to external urgencies risks creating further instability within hospitals.