Santarém Hospital Sees 2,000+ Surgery Increase in 2025

The Hospital Municipal Dr. Alberto Tolentino Sotelo, commonly known as HMS, has documented a substantial rise in surgical activity in Santarém, Pará, during 2025. Between January and November of this year, the facility conducted 6,331 surgical procedures, marking an increase of 2,269 surgeries compared to the 4,062 procedures performed during the same timeframe in the previous year.

According to hospital administration, this surge is partially driven by an increase in patients injured in traffic accidents. The clinical director has issued warnings regarding road safety, particularly as the region enters a festive period characterized by increased vehicle movement. The hospital has responded to this elevated demand by implementing operational adjustments to ensure continued care quality for the population.

Recent data from the Hospital Municipal Dr. Alberto Tolentino Sotelo reveals a dramatic escalation in surgical interventions. From January through November 2025, the hospital registered 6,331 cirurgias, a figure that contrasts sharply with the 4,062 procedures recorded during the identical period in 2024.

This represents a net increase of 2,269 surgeries, highlighting a significant expansion in the hospital's operational capacity and patient load. The statistical jump underscores the growing healthcare demands facing the facility in the western region of Pará.

Hospital leadership identifies traffic accidents as a major contributor to the rising surgical numbers. Many patients arriving at the facility following accidents present in critical condition, characterized by multiple injuries that necessitate immediate surgical intervention and prolonged medical supervision.

Clinical Director Vinícius Savino describes these patients as politraumatizados (polytraumatized), noting that they require rapid response teams and often undergo more than one surgical procedure. Despite the dedicated care provided by medical teams, some patients may develop permanent disabilities.

The impact of these cases extends beyond individual patient outcomes. Dr. Savino explains that traffic accident victims typically require extended hospitalization, occupying clinical and ICU beds while utilizing surgical centers and requiring multidisciplinary follow-up. This dynamic interferes with the hospital's capacity to serve other patients effectively.

As the region approaches the holiday season, hospital officials are emphasizing the importance of road prudence. The clinical director notes that the majority of these accidents could be avoided through simple behavioral changes.

Key preventive measures recommended by hospital leadership include:

• Respecting established speed limits
• Avoiding driving after consuming alcohol
• Maintaining heightened attention in traffic

Vinícius Savino issued a specific warning regarding the festive period: "O período festivo é um momento de celebração, mas também exige mais responsabilidade. Uma decisão imprudente no trânsito pode mudar uma vida para sempre e gerar consequências não apenas para a vítima, mas para toda a rede de saúde" (The festive period is a time of celebration, but it also requires more responsibility. An imprudent decision in traffic can change a life forever and generate consequences not only for the victim, but for the entire health network).

In response to the escalating demand, the hospital administration has taken immediate operational measures. Director Risonilson Abreu confirmed that the increase in assistance requirements necessitated specific actions to maintain service quality.

According to Abreu, the combination of high traffic accident rates and seasonal respiratory symptoms required a "significant reinforcement" of teams and supplies. These measures were implemented to guarantee the continuity and quality of care provided to the population of Santarém and the surrounding region.