Healthcare in Portugal

Healthcare System in Portugal

Through extensive reforms in the healthcare system in 2002, Portugal is now able to boast an internationally recognized healthcare system that focus on efficient and effective healthcare. There are three main arms that make up the healthcare system—the National Health Service (providing nationalized care to its residents), a specialized social health insurance scheme and the voluntary private health insurance.

In order to access the public hospitals, residents must contribute to the social security system on a weekly basis. However, those that are uninterested or don’t qualify for the public sector can opt to seek care a private facility that have excellent specialists and utilize the latest advancements in technology and medicine.

 Quality of Healthcare in Portugal

The healthcare facilities in Portugal operate on a considerably high level of quality, although this may vary from region to region. There have been substantial improvements in the public sector and overall medical facilities in the region which have increased the standard of quality within the region.

Even though the quality might not be at the level of other European countries, Portugal is making great strides and efforts by having four of their medical facilities accredited by the esteemed Joint Commission International (a renowned international accrediting body). This demonstrates their ability to provide quality medical services on a global standard to individuals visiting the hospitals and clinics.