20 October 2026. This day will forever be part of the history of the Ribatejo region. Today, the new Hospital da Luz Ribatejo opened its doors. At exactly 11:00 a.m., cardiologist Miguel Faria Alves opened the door to his consultation room to welcome the hospital’s very first patient. Ana Luísa, 47, already knew she was going to be part of this story. Even so, she could not help but say: “I truly believe Hospital da Luz Ribatejo will make a difference!” This was the first of many appointments that took place on this opening day. On 20 October 2026, Hospital da Luz Ribatejo welcomed patients for Internal Medicine and Vascular Surgery consultations. From tomorrow onwards, many of the hospital’s more than 40 medical and surgical specialties will also be available. Step by step, day by day, Hospital da Luz is coming to life in Santarém. “By the end of the year, many services and several areas of the hospital will already be fully operational. Our Imaging Centre, for example, will begin performing exams in November,” says Pedro Patrício, Executive Director of this new Hospital da Luz Network facility. “The opening of a hospital like this is carried out with the utmost safety and care, ensuring that as people start coming to us, everything is in place to provide complete and comprehensive care, with the excellence and rigor that define us.” Ana Luísa’s appointment went exactly as expected. Smoothly and without incident. But for the cardiologist who officially ‘opened’ Hospital da Luz Ribatejo, this was a particularly meaningful moment. “The expectations are immense. We are building a service that offers highly differentiated healthcare, grounded in clinical quality, innovation and, above all, close relationships with the people we serve,” said Miguel Faria Alves on the occasion, adding: “Today was only the beginning. A beginning that is always challenging, but which I hope will also mark our commitment to what we aspire to be and strive to do every day: care for people with precision, dedication and compassion.” According to the specialist, there is no doubt that this hospital was needed. “It certainly was. Any differentiated healthcare service that brings care closer to people is needed and truly makes a difference.” Proximity and Patient-Centred Care Making a difference with one clear purpose: addressing the health needs of the people of Ribatejo. With the best teams, the most advanced technology, and one central concern: “Every patient, every person who walks through these doors from today onwards is our priority, every day and at every stage of their clinical journey with us,” adds Pedro Patrício. “We built this hospital for people, so that each patient knows they are unique. That is our commitment: a commitment to proximity, quality and humanism.” Hospital da Luz Ribatejo already offers more than 40 medical and surgical specialties available for booking, as well as clinical pathology services. The hospital’s services will continue to open progressively over the coming months, with full completion expected during the first quarter of 2027, when a comprehensive healthcare offering will be available. Follow all practical and up-to-date information regarding services, specialties and clinical areas that will gradually begin operating over the coming weeks on the Hospital da Luz Ribatejo website and Facebook page. Appointments at Hospital da Luz Ribatejo can be booked through the MY LUZ app , the MY LUZ web platform, or by calling +351 217 104 400. Hospital da Luz Ribatejo Telephone: +351 217 104 400 Address: Rotunda Dr. Luís António Sousa e Silva, 7, 2000-835 Santarém, Portugal.
