A massive power outage struck Spain and Portugal on Monday, leaving healthcare workers scrambling to provide essential services in the face of unprecedented challenges. Doctors, pharmacists, and other health professionals had to rely on manual methods, such as handwritten prescriptions, to continue treating patients without the aid of technology or power.
Dr. Tiago Villanueva, a family medicine doctor in Lisbon, was met with a deserted clinic when he arrived on Monday afternoon. With no mobile service, Internet, or electricity, his team initially attempted to carry out appointments manually.
However, as it became clear that the outage would last for an extended period, they sent patients home and awaited further instructions from health authorities. The situation was reminiscent of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, with health workers adjusting to the crisis without the usual infrastructure.
The outage, which affected a population of around 60 million across the Iberian Peninsula, forced hospitals and clinics to prioritize critical care. Many hospitals relied on backup generators to keep emergency departments operational, while life-saving treatments like dialysis had to be shortened due to the lack of power.
Meanwhile, health workers faced significant concerns regarding the preservation of vaccines that require cold storage, such as those for tuberculosis and measles. Dr. João Paulo Magalhães, vice president of the Portuguese Association of Public Health Doctors, noted that some vaccines might no longer be viable due to temperature fluctuations during the blackout.
In Spain, automated pharmacies were also disrupted by the power outage, which posed a challenge to accessing critical medications. Pharmacist Jordi Nicolás highlighted the need for contingency plans, emphasizing how heavily healthcare systems rely on energy and digital records.
Despite the initial chaos, many healthcare facilities in both countries resumed normal operations once the power returned in the evening. However, the event served as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of healthcare systems in emergencies.
Villanueva, who is also president of the European Union of General Practitioners, expressed hope that this situation would lead to better emergency preparedness and communication systems for future crises.
Related topics:
- What to Do if You Have Strep Throat?
- Healthier Living, Not Just Fewer Pills, At The Heart Of U.S. Drug Cost Debate
- Fluoride Under Fire: Public Health At Risk As States Move To Ban Water Additive
