The new vehicle, delivered on October 30, 2026, is part of the fleet renewal by the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM), an investment of 16.8 million euros for the acquisition of 275 vehicles. The goal is to replace older vehicles and enhance the reliability and response capacity of the Integrated Medical Emergency System.
The VMER features INEM's new visual identity, with high-contrast stripes and retroreflective materials, increasing visibility at night and in low-light conditions, thereby enhancing the safety of on-site teams.
With this new resource, the VMER team in Viana do Castelo, based at the Hospital de Santa Luzia, can provide specialized medical care at the scene before transporting patients to the hospital. In 2026, the VMER was activated over 1100 times for critical illness situations.
The team consists of a doctor and a nurse from ULSAM with pre-hospital emergency training, activated by INEM's Urgent Patient Guidance Center (CODU) to serve the entire Alto Minho region since 2004.
