Madeira News Blog

(8th July). ‘ANACOM Undertakes Study About The Quality Of Internet Access – The study will run through five months and will cost around €600,000′. ANACOM, the telecoms regulator for Portugal, will look at access, availability, and quality, through the fixed (ADSL & Cable) and mobile service providers throughout Portugal, making comparisons of what is on offer. Perhaps I can help, they all pretty much vastly exaggerate about the actual speed of service they offer, compared to what they actually deliver.

’20,000 Have Telephone Of Zon Madeira – the use of landline telephones is growing, thanks to the new operators’. The company Zon has hit it’s target set two years ago for penetration of the home telephone market on Madeira. In fact it had aimed for this over four years, and given the average numbers of users per household, in fact has an impressive total of 60 to 70 thousand users. It doesn’t state what it’s original revenue targets were, but they were probably extensively underachieved, for as well as giving free calls to fixed lines in Portugal, the telephone deal has also been used as a promotion and retention tool for new and existing customers, with no fixed monthly standing charge for those tied into Zon’s TV and internet packages.

(7th July). ‘House Exchange Encouraged’. The Madeira property market has gone through tough times during the last two or three years, worsening as the financial crisis started to bite. Until there is a recovery in consumer confidence, companies in the real estate sector are looking to all sorts of new strategies to move the market along. House exchanges is one of the new initiatives of ‘Remax’, in a true inventive spirit of the property company. The Portuguese company has achieved 600 exchanges in Portugal since March. The director of Remax in Funchal says that so far it has not really taken off on Madeira, because it is a new concept, but he believes the future will bring much more success, though not sufficient to solve the crisis.

’132 Apartments Inaugurated’. The parish of Água de Pena had the inauguration on Monday afternoon of a €12 million investment. Most of the apartments are for sale, but some are also available as a type of fixed cost social housing. The president of the council said this would lead to a large increase in population, as happened in Caniço.

(8th July). ‘The Country Would Have Saved €4 Million If Both Elections Had Been Held On The Same Day’. "A country in the mire, a country in crisis, a country in bankruptcy, cannot afford the luxury of having separate elections in 13 or 14 days". That was a comment from Rui Coelho of the social democrat party of Madeira (PSD-M). Quite right Rui! No we don’t like to see taxpayers money wasted do we, how’s the marina at Lugar do Baixo coming along by the way, and when’s jolly Uncle Bertie off on his next jolly holiday abroad, and how are the finances in the government owned newspaper ‘Jornal da Madeira’ these days?

‘Inquiry Into Quinta Do Lorde Reduced To The Minimum’. The socialists of PS-M and other opposition parties working together managed to force a public inquiry into the controversial development at Quinta do Lorde, with some 20 proposals for the scope of the enquiry, all this despite the objections of the ruling majority of social democrats. However the PSD-M has now more or less got it’s way, by using it’s vast majority to reduce the scope of the inquiry down to just one of the c.20 proposals put forward. The enquiry committee, which met on Tuesday for the first time, decided to accept just one proposal, and that was one made by the president of Machico Council, a PSD-M politician. The PS-M and other parties claim that documents made available for the licensing of the project, and on environmental impacts, were ignored. In fact only two people will be called to give evidence in the inquiry, both social democrat politicians. It warms my heart to see democracy at work once again, with Madeira’s government setting a shining example of how to get things done quickly at the minimum of expense. 

MADEIRA NATIONAL EMERGENCY NUMBER – 112

NATIONAL INFORMATION NUMBER – 118

MORE USEFUL NUMBERS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE

MEDICAL EMERGENCIES ON MADEIRA

In the event of injury or illness whilst on the Madeira, it is well equipped to deal with most problems locally, and if not it is not so far to reach the main Madeira hospitals in Funchal. If the situation is serious phone 112 for all emergency situations.

‘Out Of Hours’ Emergency – Most of the larger towns have a health centre ‘Centro de Saude’ with a doctors surgery, Some have accident and emergency facilities. If you can confirm your nearest one is open and can get there, then you should try that. You have the option of an ambulance by phoning 112 if the situation is serious. This may be chargeable, depending on your circumstances. If you are in a hotel, ask at reception for help. There are also many private doctors practices on Madeira, but if you are able you should clarify the costs, and establish whether your medical insurance policy would cover these expenses. If possible take your passport, E111 (European citizens health card) or equivalent health insurance document, and/or any private health or travel insurance documents you may have. If you are resident in Madeira then you should have a state health card (Cartão de Utente, or similar). Take this, and any private medical insurance documentation. You apply for the Cartão de Utente, by taking your residency permit to the reception of your local health centre on Madeira.

Madeira Ambulance Services – If you need an ambulance, ask at your hotel reception,  or phone 112 to request one. They are normally provided by the Fire Brigade, although there are private ambulances on Madeira.

Weekday Daytime’ Emergency – If you are staying at a hotel, you can probably ask at reception to arrange a doctors appointment. Alternatively you can go to the local ‘Centro De Saude’ (Health Centre) and wait there to see a doctor. Take your passport, E111 or equivalent health insurance document, and/or any private health or travel insurance documents you may have. If you are resident on Madeira and have a Cartão de Utente, or similar, that should be all you need.

Private Medical Treatment on Madeira – Check in the phone book to find private doctors (Medicos) and large practices respectively. If possible, try and determine the basis of charging and whether you have medical insurance to cover your needs, before committing yourself to treatment. You can also check the yellow pages online, using the keywords ‘médicos’ and the name of your nearest town. YELLOW PAGES

Pharmacies / Chemists (Farmácias) – Pharmacies ‘Farmácias’ are fairly plentiful on Madeira and many are open long hours and are situated in central locations. Chemists are run by well trained staff, and they might be able to offer advice on remedies for minor ailments. There is a duty roster, which means that they take turns to open late. They all display the traditional ‘green cross’ sign outside. There is a 24 hour chemist in Funchal (see below). There are too many to list here, but you can check the section in the yellow pages using the word ‘farmácia’, or search online using the same keyword and the name of your nearest town. YELLOW PAGES

Dentists – Dentists are notoriously expensive on Madeira, so travellers are well advised to ensure their teeth are in good shape before travelling, and also ensuring that they have travel or private medical insurance that
will cover them in the event of dental problems. If you are staying at a hotel it is worth asking at reception whether they have any special arrangements or can recommend a dentist. There is no choice but to go private, and you should check the costs and whether you are covered by medical insurance before committing yourself. If you have a dental emergency on a weekend or public holiday or at nightime, you will probably need to go to Funchal for treatment – telephone 291 207676 for further information. You can find dentists through the yellow pages telephone phone book or online using the keyword ‘dentista’ and your nearest large town, but prices may well be higher for foreigners in an emergency, especially where there might be thought to be private travel or medical insurance covering the cost. YELLOW PAGES

OTHER EMERGENCIES

Madeira Fire Brigade – Known as the ‘Corpo de Bombeiros’, the fire brigade are situated near most major towns. In the event of fire or other serious emergency phone 112 to get assistance or report an incident. Or you can select a number from the list below. You are more likely to find English spoken on the emergency number.

Madeira Coast Guard – ‘Guarda de Litoral’. Phone 112 to get assistance or report an incident, or 291 230 112.

Madeira Police – In an emergency you can phone 112. Most major towns have a police station or police presence throughout the day and night. If the situation is not an emergency, then you can phone 291 208 400 for advice, or ring or visit your local police station (see the contact list below)

Via Rápida (Motorway) breakdown – If you breakdown on the motorway phone 800 290 290 for assistance. There are plenty of cameras along the busiest sections, so you may find help is on the way before requesting it. Be aware that mobile phones may not work inside the tunnels. In the event of a fire in a tunnel, keep well away, outside if possible, as there may be toxic fumes.

Madeira Airport – Phone 291 524 941 for advice if your problem is concerns Madeira Airport.

International Red Cross – Telephone 291 741 115.

British Consulate, Funchal – The British Consulate can assist with the following problems, other consulates and embassies may have different arrangements.
- Issue emergency passports.
- Contact relatives and friends and ask them to help you with money or tickets.
- Tell you how to transfer money. In an emergency, cash you a sterling cheque worth up to £100 if supported by a valid banker’s card.
- As a last resort, in exceptional circumstances, and as long as you meet certain strict rules, give you a loan to get you back to the UK, but only if there is no-one else who can help you.
- Help you get in touch with local lawyers, interpreters and doctors.
- Arrange for next of kin to be told of an accident or a death and advise on procedures.
- Visit you if you have been arrested or put in prison, and arrange for messages to be sent to relatives and friends.
- Put you in touch with organisations who help trace missing persons.
- Speak to the local authorities on your behalf.
The British Consulate is based in Avenida Zarco in Funchal, the daytime telephone number is 00351 291212860. It is only open Monday to Friday 9.30am to midday, but in emergencies only, British Citizens can phone 00351 962720557. Fax number : 00351 291212869

Other Consulates / Embassies :
Austria : Tel (00351) 291 206 100
Belgium : Tel (00351) 291 210 200
Brazil : Tel (00351) 291 227 250
France : Tel (00351) 291 200 750
Germany : Tel (00351) 291 220 338
Holland : Tel (00351) 291 703 803
Italy : Tel (00351) 291 223 890
Norway : Tel (00351) 291 741 515
South Africa : Tel (00351) 291 223 521
Sweden : Tel (00351) 291 233 603
USA  : Tel (00351) 291 235 636

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR POLICE, FIRE BRIGADE, HOSPITALS, CLINICS, & 24 HOUR PHARMACY NUMBER – These are provided on a best endeavours basis

FUNCHAL
FIRE BRIGADE
Avenida Calouste Gulbenkian Ed. 2000, 9000-011 tel: 291 211 014
Rua Matadouro 1, 9050-100 tel: 291 223 056
POLICE (tel : 291 208 400) Rua Francisco Franco, 9000-083 tel: 291 220 800
Rua São João Deus 7, 9000-028 tel: 291 281 230
Rua Infância 28, 9050-039 tel: 291 241 422
HOSPITALS & CLINICS / HEALTH CENTRES.
Hospital Cruz de Carvalho (Central) 57 Avenida Luís Camões, 9000-168 tel: 291 705 600
Hospitais dos Marmeleiros Estrada Marmeleiros, Monte, 9050 tel: 291 705 730
Hospital Doutor João  Almada Quinta Santa, Monte, 9050 tel: 291 780 300 / 291 705 700
Clínica Santa Luzia (24 Hour Service) Rua Torrinha 5, 9054-516 tel: 291 200 000
Clínica Estrada Monumental Centro Monumental Lido tel: 291 771 020
Clínica Rua Pombal 31-Bloco A, 9050-075 tel: 291 755 300
Clínica R Latino Coelho 60,2º-A, 9060-155 tel: 291 204 480
CHEMIST – 24 HOUR
Estrada Monumental 456 tel: 291 776 860

CÂMARA DE LOBOS
FIRE BRIGADE – Rua Carreira 11, 9300-039 tel: 291 911 444
7A, Casas Próximas Curral das Freiras 9030-040 tel: 291 712 533
POLICE – Rua Padre Pita Ferreira, 9300-117 tel: 291 911 040
Rua Doutor João A Ornelas , Estreito C de Lobos 9325-032 ESTREITO tel: 291 948 024
Quinta Grande, 9300 tel: 291 940 666
CLINIC – 9325 Estreito Câmara de Lobos tel: 291 948 151

SANTANA
POLICE – Achada Pampilhar Santana, 9230-083 tel: 291 572 403

SÃO VICENTE
POLICE – Passo Vicente, 9240-217 tel: 291 846 229

CALHETA
FIRE BRIGADE – 9370-133 Calheta tel: 291 827 204
Ladeira Lamaceiros 9370 Arco Da Calheta tel: 291 827 334
POLICE – Vila Calheta, 9370-133 tel: 291 822 422
CLINIC – St da Estrela, Calheta, 9370-111 tel: 291 823 456

MACHICO
POLICE – Vila Machico, 9200 tel: 291 965 574

PONTA DO SOL
POLICE – Rua Padre Leão Henriques, 9360-216 tel: 291 972 223
CLINIC – Vila Ponta do Sol, 9360-217 tel: 291 972 291

PORTO MONIZ
POLICE – Estrada Regional, 9270 tel: 291 853 361
CLINIC – Rua Dr João de Françacosme tel 291 850 170/ 291 853 204

RIBEIRA BRAVA
FIRE BRIGADE – Ponta de Vermelha, 9350 tel: 291 952 114 & 291 952 281
POLICE – Muro, 9350-212 tel: 291 952 159
CLINIC – Largo 1º Maio, 9350-128 tel: 291 957 300

SANTA CRUZ
POLICE Praça Doutor João A Freitas, 9100-157 tel: 291 524 767
Rua Camélias , Camacha, 9135-200 tel: 291 922 530

PORTO SANTO
FIRE BRIGADE – R D. Berta M T Aguiar, 9400-154 tel: 291 982 115
POLICE – Lombas Porto St 9400-065 tel: 291 982 615
Esquadra da Cidade Matas tel: 291 982 423
CLINIC – Rua Dr José Diamantino Lima tel: 291 980 060

DISCLAIMER – THE INFORMATION PROVIDED HERE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE PROFESSIONAL ADVICE, AND IS PROVIDED FOR BRIEF GUIDANCE ONLY, ON A BEST ENDEAVORS BASIS.

NO RESPONSIBILITY CAN BE ACCEPTED FOR THE ACCURACY OF INFORMATION SHOWN HERE, AND YOU SHOULD SEEK INDEPENDENT VERIFICATION OR PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE. THIS PAGE WAS LAST UPDATED IN 2008.

This information sheet is copyright material – do not reproduce in part or full without written consent 

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