The Regional Secretary for Health restated the Government's intention to continue to send specialist doctors to the islands without hospital. In fact, several consultations have already been scheduled on the island of Pico for this month.

Speaking at the meeting between the Government and Pico Island Council, which was held under the statutory visit to Pico, Luís Cabral informed that several consultations have already been scheduled in the following medical specialties: Vascular Surgery, May 21-23; Gastroenterology May 27-29; Physical medicine, May 8-10; Psychiatry, May 3-7; Otorhinolaryngology May 8-10 and May 14-21; Cardiology, May 7.
 
The Regional Secretary stressed that "specialist doctors have never been forbidden from making consultations on the islands without hospital," considering that it would be a measure that "would make no sense."

The Regional Secretariat for Health has been conducting a survey on the actual needs of each Island Health Unit in coordination with regional hospitals with the purpose of drawing up a consultation schedule, thus ensuring that consultations and exams are carried out timely and safely.

Luís Cabral also said to the members of the Pico Island Council that, for safety reasons, "some exams should be performed in a hospital environment."

The consultation schedules should be made public to the concerned health units in due time.

"Despite the restructuring work on this matter, patient care will be assured," stressed Luís Cabral.