The President of the Government assured on São Jorge Island that the Regional Health Service is increasingly able to respond to the needs of the Azorean population, due to the investment in infrastructures, the reinforcement of human resources, the dedication of their professionals and the adequate funding to fulfil its functions.
 
"This is one most important assets of our Region which, despite the challenges it will always face, should always be a source of pride for the Azoreans," said Vasco Cordeiro, who spoke at the opening of the remodelling and expansion works of Calheta Health Centre.
 
According to the President of the Government, many challenges that the Regional Health Service faces arise from the fact that “it is more complete than ever, providing more care to the Azoreans, which induces greater pressure.”
 
"If more Azoreans have access to more care from the Regional Health Service, as evidenced by the increase in the number of consultations, it is natural that more Azoreans are referred for surgery," said Vasco Cordeiro.
 
"It this pressure, as the result of having an increasingly complete Regional Health Service, that we are determined and committed to respond, whether through investment in infrastructures and more human resources or even with adequate funding to fulfil its function," said the President of the Government on the second day of the visit to São Jorge.
 
 The Government of the Azores has been making a significant investment in the accessibility of the entire population to health care, said Vasco Cordeiro. In this regard, he pointed out the example of the remodelling works of Horta Hospital and the construction of Faial Health Unit building, a seven-million Euro investment, which are expected to be completed this year. Additionally, the remodelling of the Emergency Department of Ponta Delgada Hospital represents this year an investment of nearly two million Euros.
 
On the island of Flores, the renovation works of the Santa Cruz Health Centre will also be concluded this year, with a budget of 1.5 million Euros.
 
The Government will also move forward with the adaptation of the space for the installation of magnetic resonance imaging equipment, with state-of-the-art technology, for an even more efficient diagnosis and medical care at the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital in Ponta Delgada. It is designed to serve the entire population of the archipelago.
 
With regard to human resources, Vasco Cordeiro pointed out that the Regional Health Service was composed of 5,250 professionals at the end of 2019, representing about 180 more than at the end of 2018, including 21 more doctors and 47 more nurses.
 
"Naturally, this reinforcement of human resources has had an impact on the provision of health care. Suffice to say, the latest consolidated figures in the Region as a whole point to a 9% growth in the number of consultations between January and October 2019, compared to the first 10 months of 2018.
 
According to him, 8,679 surgeries were performed through the Regional Health Service last year, representing an increase of 8.5% compared to 2018, that is, 735 more operated patients.
 
The works of Calheta Health Centre, an investment of about 1.4 million Euros, represent a significant improvement in the provision of care to health users on the island of São Jorge.
 
The remodelling and expansion of the existing building and the construction of a new building of about 800m2 increased the number of medical and nursing offices, from five to nine, created a new Physiotherapy space with an area of 330 m2, expanded and reorganised the Emergency Department, and improved the working conditions and comfort of ´the Inpatient Unit.
 
"Hence, the Regional Health Service is taking more and better care of all São Jorge islanders, throughout all phases of their lives and in a comprehensive manner, thanks to its professionals and multidisciplinary teams," said Vasco Cordeiro.