The President of the Government opened today the upgrading works of Capelas Health Unit in the municipality of Ponta Delgada, an investment that will provide better conditions to its nearly 4,600 users as well as to the team of professionals working there.

“More than a matter of investment, we are talking about remodelled facilities for the approximately 4,600 users that this health unit serves. 

This is quite relevant because it is an example of the response of our Regional Health Service and the results it delivers in improving conditions, not only for those who use it but also for those who work there,” said Vasco Cordeiro. 

According to the President of the Government, the Capelas Health Unit registered more than 9,100 medical consultations carried out last year, 13% more than in 2018, and more than 9,500 nursing consultations, 7% more than in 2018, in the areas of Adult Health, Child and Youth Health, Maternal Health, Family Planning, among others.

These results are also visible in the entire São Miguel Island Health Unit, which registered more than 230 thousand consultations in the aforementioned areas, an increase of 23%, stated Vasco Cordeiro. 

“This means that the Regional Health Service is responding efficiently by providing more conditions for the Azoreans to access health care. In fact, it reflects the efforts undertaken to endow it with the human resources deemed necessary for the fulfilment of its purpose,” stressed the President of the Government.

Currently, there are 5,250 professionals in the Regional Health Service, 180 more than at the end of 2018, including doctors, nurses, senior diagnostic and therapeutic technicians, and senior health technicians, among many other important workers who ensure the provision of health care to the Azoreans. 

Regarding infrastructures, the President of the Government stated that the primary care network on the island of São Miguel has undergone various improvements. The Government has already improved the conditions of Ribeira Grande Health Centre as well as those of the health units located in Rabo de Peixe, Candelária, Feteiras, Água de Pau, Furnas, Maia, Arrifes and Livramento.

“Just a few days ago, we opened the remodelling and expansion works of Calheta Health Centre. 

Also, on the island of São Jorge, there are works under way at Velas Health Centre,” Vasco Cordeiro said, also highlighting the examples of the ongoing remodelling works of Horta Hospital and the new Faial Island Health Unit as well as the remodelling and expansion works of Santa Cruz das Flores Health Centre. 

"On the island of São Miguel, we are going to proceed with the remodelling works of the Emergency Department of the Ponta Delgada Hospital, which represents an investment, this year, close to two million Euros," said the President of the Government.

In terms of results, “the Regional Health Service is taking more and better care of the Azoreans, registering 8,679 surgeries in 2019, which corresponding to an increase of 8.5%," Vasco Cordeiro said, revealing that 735 more patients had surgery in 2018.

The works opened today included the renovation of medical offices, which also increased from three to four, as well as of the three nursing offices, the administrative area, the sanitary facilities and the treatment room. Additionally, new spaces were created, such as the "Breastfeeding Corner" to support mothers and promote breastfeeding, as part of the increasing humanisation of the Regional Health Service.