During the month of July, 3,553 people have been treated in 32 temporary health centers at the Algarve’s most popular beaches.
The units, set up by the Regional Health Administration of the Algarve in collaboration with the Portuguese Red Cross, are part of the summer plan to reduce the pressure on hospitals by treating minor injuries on site.
Of the total consultations carried out, 1,292 were due to fish, spider and insect bites, 477 for blood pressure problems, 128 to administer injections and 116 to perform blood glucose tests. Only 43 people needed to be referred onwards to hospital or other health facilities.
Of the total number of patients, 74% were not resident in the Algarve region - of these, 78.7% were from other regions of Portugal and 21.2% were foreigner holidaymakers.
The remaining 26% were Algarve residents.
The beach health units with the highest number of patients so far have been those in Monte Gordo, Manta Rota, Armação de Pera, Praia dos Tomates and Armona Island.
