The hospital was built on the foundations of a temple, designed by architect Miguel Ventura Terra, and inaugurated on December 5, 1932. It was the first purpose-built maternity hospital in Lisbon, showcasing the commitment to advancing maternal and infant healthcare. Professor Augusto de Almeida Monjardino played a pivotal role as its founder and first director. Since March 1, 2012, MAC has been integrated into the Lisbon Central Hospital Center (Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Central EPE).

The land on which the maternity hospital was constructed was originally intended for a church dedicated to Our Lady of Conception, as donated by the Countess of Carnide. However, due to the The 5th of October Revolution (1910), the plan never came to fruition. The state confiscated the land from the religious order and entrusted the General Directorate of Assistance to find a purpose for the property.

The maternity hospital was inaugurated on May 28, 1932, and on December 8, the first child was born at 11:30 pm, named Maria da Conceição. In its first year of operation, MAC witnessed 2,073 births - 1,120 boys and 953 girls. After reaching a peak in 1977, with a record-breaking 13,654 births, there was a subsequent decline attributed to the decreasing birth rate and the emergence of other maternity hospitals in Lisbon during the 1980s.

Lisbon.vip Recommends

On January 21, 1983, MAC was honored as a Member of the Order of Merit. Since 1932, approximately 600,000 children have been born at MAC, cementing its reputation as a trusted institution in maternity care.

Regarding the future of MAC, the XIX Constitutional Government has expressed intentions to close the maternity hospital. However, the Administrative Court of Lisbon has thwarted these plans, with the hospital remaining operational until the Ministry of Health's appeal is assessed by the Central Administrative Court of the South. The latter court decreed that MAC should continue its services until the construction and opening of the new Hospital of All Saints.

In 2027, when the future Hospital of Eastern Lisbon is scheduled to commence operations in Parque da Bela Vista, Chelas, MAC's services and staff will be transferred to the central maternal and child health unit of the new hospital. The MAC building is expected to remain dedicated to healthcare services, contributing to the overall healthcare landscape.

Map View