The Azores fulfil all the conditions to provide healthcare which respects women’s dignity and rights, in a context that comprises the perspective of a healthy sexuality and reproductive life.
This guarantee was given by the Regional Director for Health at the opening session of the seminar on “Good Practices in VTOP,” which took place on Friday and was organised by the Azores Family Planning Association.
Sofia Duarte pointed out the importance of this initiative, as a meeting point for doctors, for other healthcare professionals and for those who are interested in the subject, and as contribution “to raise awareness for the necessity of an integrated approach concerning this subject.”
According to data presented by the Director, 278 cases of VTOP were registered in the Azores between July 2007 and March 2009, 175 of which were performed at the Horta Hospital and 103 on Mainland Portugal healthcare units.
The Director assured that the spirit of the law was ensured on every occasion in order “to respect women’s dignity and rights.”
Furthermore, Sofia Duarte mentioned the Government’s goals regarding maternal health, family planning and birth incentive programmes.
According to the Director for Health, a specific programme aimed to monitor the reproductive health will be implemented, being the Government’s intention to give awards to the services that provide the best support to pregnant women and newborns and that promote the priority access of pregnant women to healthcare.
The Government also intends to reinforce the support to couples with fertility problems.
Sofia Duarte stated that an amount of 250 thousand Euros will be awarded to birth incentive policies in 2009, mainly to medically assisted reproduction.