The Regional Secretary for Health defended in Ponta Delgada the coordination between primary and secondary health care as one of the priorities of the Regional Health Service.
 
"It is in this coordination primary and secondary health care that is fundamental to focus on the Regional Health Service," said Rui Luís. He spoke at the opening of the 14th Symposium on Family Medicine in the Azores and Mainland Portugal, pointing out the event's programme as an example of this coordination.
 
At the opening of this meeting that discusses obstructive respiratory diseases, the government official also warned of the need to increasingly invest in prevention as well as of the importance of a cultural change.
 
"We know that prevention and promotion of healthy living habits are fall under primary health care," the Regional Secretary said, recalling the Government's commitment to policies intended to reduce tobacco consumption.
 
"As far as tobacco prevention is concerned, we have already started a training package for 140 elementary school teachers in July so that, at the beginning of the school year, the Household and Smoke Free program will be implemented," said Rui Luís.
 
Launched in May, this programme aims to reach 2,500 basic education students, who will disseminate this campaign among their parents.
 
"This is a double-sided programme. On the one hand, it aims to avoid second-hand smoke and, on the other hand, it intends to encourage youngsters to avoid smoking and disseminate the harmful effects of tobacco," said the Regional Secretary.