The President of the Government of the Azores announced on Santa Maria today expansion if the Vila do Porto Healthcare Centre, a measure which, according to him, intends to meet the growing demand by the island’s inhabitants and, on the other hand, to renew the facilities that are over fifteen and are obsolete.
Carlos César spoke at the end of a meeting – accompanied by other members of the Government – with the officials of that Centre and revealed that call for tenders for the awarding of the works may take place in the first semester of the next year, an of investment of half a million Euros.
The expansion will especially focus on the areas of outpatient, appointments, laboratory and physiotherapy, therefore stimulating the growth of the accessibility to the Regional Health Service on Santa Maria.
The President of the Government revealed that there were 2195 specialty appointments in 2004, estimating a total of 6870 appointments for this year, a “difference that demonstrates how the accessibility is growing and improving the type and quality of health care in four years.”
Carlos César also said that the expansion decided today does not prevent the re-equipment of the Healthcare Centre on devices deemed necessary for its normal operation and included in the investment plan for the renewal of that infrastructure.