The President of the Government attended today the first Dermatology consultation via telemedicine services in real time, which was held today at Velas Health Centre. This is one of the 14 telemedicine projects that are being implemented with the aim of improving the access of Azorean to health care.

"This example clearly demonstrates the ease, convenience and speed with which patients can have access certain types of medical care, thus avoiding the travel of patients to other islands," said Vasco Cordeiro at the beginning of his statutory visit to the island of São Jorge.

The President of the Government stressed that telemedicine does not address all the needs, but is a "valuable contribution to improve the conditions under which the Azoreans have access to health care."

"This is the ultimate goal of the decision taken by the Government," Vasco Cordeiro said, adding that 14 projects are under implementation. The Government expects to implement all projects by the end of the current legislative period.

The President of the Government also stated that telemedicine does replace the travel of medical specialists; however, it ensures greater efficiency.

Besides dermatology, the telemedicine projects includes counselling on medical emergency evacuation flights, obstetrics, medical genetics, paediatric cardiology, neurosurgery consultation, rheumatology and endocrinology, among other specialities.

Telemedicine allows the observation, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of the patients as close as possible of their area of residence, thus ensuring the accessibility of the Azorean population to health care.

This is an even more important project in a geographically dispersed territory, such as the Azores, insofar as it contributes to the optimisation of resources and avoids the travel of patients. This system brings gains for everyone.