The Regional Secretary for Health said today that the remodelling of Horta Hospital and the construction of Horta Health Centre are taking place within the stipulated schedule and are expected to be completed by the end of the first half of 2020.
 
"The foundation stone was laid in January 2019. As we can see, the works are running at a good pace and are expected to be completed by the end of the first half of 2020," said Rui Luís. He spoke at the end of a visit to the ongoing works during the Government's visit to the island of Faial.
 
The remodelling project of Horta Hospital, with a completion period of 10 months, will expand the existing infrastructure by 500 square metres, while the construction of the new Health Centre, with a completion period of 18 months, will be built in a total area of 2,000 square metres.
 
Rui Luís highlighted the improvements introduced with this intervention, an investment of seven million Euros. It will improve accessibility and bring primary health care closer to hospital care.
 
"From a medical emergency standpoint, we have more favourable conditions for patients with the expansion of the Emergency Service, the proximity of the new Intensive Care Unit and the creation of Intermediate Care," stressed the government official.
 
Regarding the works in the hospital's floor 1, the Regional Secretary highlighted the improvement of the Outpatient Unit, namely the expansion of the haemodialysis space and the upgrading of the haematology service, thus generating gains in differentiated care.
 
The proximity of Horta Hospital to the Health Centre has advantages regarding the direct relation between patients and health care, whether hospital or primary care, creating a health hub that will better respond to new social trends, demographic changes and technological developments.
 
These infrastructural improvements will be reflected in the way differentiated care will be provided at a hospital that currently offers 20 specialties.
 
"We have been increasing the number of specialists at this hospital," the Secretary for Health said, noting that there are currently seven interns undertaking their medical internship in several specialties. According to him, this "gives reassurance about the future, despite the Regional Government's availability to expand the hospital's staff according to the needs identified."
 
Rui Luís recalled that 600 professionals work at the two health facilities of Faial Island.
 
Mentioning the ratio of workers in the Regional Health Service, the government official stated that there has been a growing recruitment of professionals, pointing out, as example, the admission of 270 nurses in the last two years.
 
"In terms of medical specialties, we have been recruiting professionals as soon as they complete their medical internship," stressed the government official.
 
With regard to family medicine coverage," Rui Luís stated that the population of São Miguel Island should be fully covered by the end of this year with the recruitment of another 11 doctors. In turn, Terceira Island is expected to be fully covered by the end of next year.