The Regional Secretary for Health stressed in Horta that the main guidelines of the Government's Programme for this area focus on the strengthening of the fight against addiction and the promotion of health education policies.
 
Rui Luís spoke at the Legislative Assembly, highlighting the creation of the Regional Directorate for Prevention and Combat to Dependence. In this regard, he noted that "these issues contain in themselves risks and costs to which it is essential to face the consequences and their impact on the life of people, families and society.”
 
"It makes sense to an effective prevention path, which should be structured by solid pillars based on a health education policy," said the government official.
 
For the Regional Secretary, "the accountability and empowerment of citizens in policies for health promotion and disease prevention are one of the major challenges this sector faces insofar as citizens are primarily responsible for their health."
 
"As for surgery waiting lists," Rui Luís said "it is necessary to immediately regulate the Integrated System for the Management of Surgery Lists in the Autonomous Region of the Azores and the respective Health Voucher. We intend to create mechanisms to allow a better use of surgical times in operating theatres and invest in outpatient surgeries."
 
Still in health, Rui Luís reaffirmed the Azorean Government's intention to continue the organisation of primary health care, namely through the Family Health Centres, and to ensure the full coverage of the population by General Practitioners, a process expected to be completed by 2018.
 
"While believing that much has been done for the health of Azoreans, we must acknowledge that there is much more to be done and improve," since "we are in an area in constant change, which requires updates, adaptations and regulations on a permanent basis."
 
As for the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service, the measures proposed by the Government involve the improvement of infrastructures and equipment, training of human resources as well as the promotion of relations Volunteer Firefighters' Associations and the dialogue with the population.
 
"The Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service is nowadays a reference at national and international level, which, in addition to being a huge source of pride for all Azoreans, requires the adoption of measures to maintain the quality of services to the population," said the government official.
 
In his speech, Rui Luís reiterated the Government's readiness "to maintain a constructive dialogue on the implementation of policies, with total availability to welcome contributions deemed necessary," based on the principles of sustainability and the assurance to provide better services to the Azorean population.