News

Health issues related to beach-going such as sunburns, weeverfish stings and other minor injuries can now be treated at one of the Algarve’s 32 beach health units.

The units opened on Monday (June 29) and will provide medical care to beachgoers until August 31. Seven units will actually remain open until September 13 (see list below).

An agreement between the regional health authority (ARS) and the Portuguese Red Cross, the health units are designed to treat minor health issues, while patients with more serious problems are transferred to a nearby health centre or hospital.

Last year, the Algarve’s beach health units provided a total of 9,557 consultations. Most of them (5,743) focused on simple procedures like stitches. Coming in second were blood pressure checks (1,861), followed by weeverfish stings (936), administration of vaccines (539) and blood sugar tests (295).

The beach health units are open between 10.30am and 7.30pm.

Beach health units can be found in:
Aljezur – Monte Clérigo; Odeceixe
Albufeira – Praia da Galé; Praia das Belharucas; Praia dos Tomates; Rocha Baixinha Nascente (until September 13)
Castro Marim – Praia da Altura; Praia do Cabeço; Praia Verde
Lagoa – Praia Grande
Lagos – Porto de Mós; Praia da Luz
Loulé – Vilamoura; Praia do Ancão; Quarteira (until September 13)
Faro – Ilha de Faro; Ilha da Culatra; Praia do Farol (until September 13)
Olhão – Ilha da Armona; Ilha da Fuzeta
Portimão – Alvor; Vau; Praia da Rocha (until September 13)
Tavira – Praia das Cabanas; Praia do Barril; Ilha de Tavira (until September 13)
Silves – Armação de Pêra (until September 13)
Vila do Bispo – Praia da Salema; Praia da Mareta
Vila Real de Santo António – Praia de Santo António; Manta Rota; Monte Gordo (until September 13)

– Source: http://portugalresident.com