"The Inspector-General for Health Activities has already determined the procedure to investigate the facts regarding the assistance provided by the SNS 24 Line and the Urgent Patient Guidance Centre (CODU) at the time of the incident, as well as the assistance provided by the Tagus Estuary Local Health Unit to the pregnant woman," the Ministry of Health said in a statement.

Contacted by Lusa, the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM) stated that the 112 Centre forwarded the emergency call, which was answered by the CODU at 10:29.

"During the triage of the situation, it was determined that the birth had already occurred," INEM stated in a written response.

The CODU dispatched an ambulance from the Alenquer Volunteer Fire Department at 10:33 AM, and the Emergency Medical and Resuscitation Vehicle (VMER) from Torres Vedras at 10:37 AM, as the VMER from Vila Franca de Xira was engaged in another incident.

According to INEM, the mother and baby were taken to the Santarém Hospital, accompanied by the doctor from the Emergency Medical and Resuscitation Vehicle.