Portugal creates high-tech performance centers in obstetrics and gynecology

Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa signed on Sunday legislation creating High-Performance Centers in Obstetrics and Gynecology (CED-ObGin), within the scope of the National Health Service (SNS).



According to a statement published on the official Presidency website, these high-technology centers will function as "autonomous management structures based on an innovative model, aimed at strengthening professional attractiveness and retention."



The government announced the centers will begin operating experimentally in 2026 to guarantee "highly differentiated services, training, research" in the SNS.



The declared objective is twofold: enhancing highly differentiated care offerings and critically stopping Portugal's "brain drain," attracting the most qualified professionals, and making them "want to remain" in public service.



Portugal faces challenges in retaining medical specialists, who often seek better compensation and working conditions abroad, particularly in other European Union countries.