The Regional Secretary for Health announced on Terceira the signing of an agreement between companies in the health technology sector to promote the communication between the information systems of hospitals and primary health care units.
 
"We have challenged the companies operating the information systems of the Regional Health Service to sign a memorandum of understanding to achieve the desired interoperability. The challenge has been accepted and now we have a mission to accomplish," said Rui Luis, who spoke at the Meeting of the Technologies and Information Systems of the Regional Health Service.
 
This meeting was promoted by the Regional Secretariat for Health in partnership with SDEA - Society for Business Development of the Azores. It is primarily intended to promote the debate on the current state of information systems within the Regional Health Service.
 
"We have succeeded in bringing the heads of all the companies working in the Regional Health Service," stressed the Regional Secretary. In addition to the "interoperability challenge," the meeting will also discuss "the future of health systems."
 
Speaking to journalists, the Secretary for Health mentioned the advantages arising from the memorandum of understanding signed with health technology companies operating in the Regional Health Service.
 
"The clinical information of patients will now be registered in a single file that may be accessible from any health unit located in the Region and even in Mainland Portugal, and it will be possible to further develop telemedicine services," said Rui Luís.
 
The Regional Secretary stated that in order to improve and enhance the communication capacity between systems, "the commitment of all stakeholders" will be necessary, as this "is a true aspiration towards the improvement of the Regional Health Service."
 
In this regard, the government official emphasised that the purpose of health information systems cannot be solely the "collection of information." Above all, it should be aimed at "enhancing performance" to improve health care management decisions at all levels of the health system.
 
Rui Luís also stressed that the agreements signed with companies will safeguard the interests of patients, while ensuring the profitability of resources and health gains.
 
The Regional Secretary highlighted the fact that three of the companies already installed at Terceira Tech Island operate in the area of health technologies. They have also established partnerships with the Regional Health Service, a fact that will enhance the development of this area in the future.