The Regional Secretary for Health revealed today that the Interim Evaluation Report of the Regional Health Plan is available on the Government Portal after being submitted to the Regional Health Council and analysed by the Regional Health Council.
 
"Considering the strategic importance of the document for the definition, development and implementation of health policies for the coming years, we believe we should share it, thus demonstrating the transparency required in the pursuance of public policies," said Rui Luís at a press conference in Horta.
 
Rui Luís stressed that the existence of a Health Plan is "extremely important for the establishment of strategic guidelines as well as for the promotion and improvement of health in the society."
 
In 2017, the Regional Secretariat for Health has taken the decision to carry out the evaluation of the Regional Health Plan 2014-2020, whose results are now made public on the Government Portal.
 
"The data included in this reported demonstrate that the Regional Health Service has improved its response capacity to citizens, evidencing the increased accessibility of the Azorean population to health care," said the Secretary for Health.
 
Rui Luís stated that this "public health guide" should be further developed with regard to four strategic areas of reference: the promotion of healthy lifestyles and the prevention of risk behaviours, the fight against chronic diseases, the fight against cerebrovascular diseases and the fight against oncological diseases.
 
The Regional Secretary recalled the measures that are being prepared by his department to address these issues, pointing out the Regional Programme for Promotion of Healthy Eating, the Action Plan for Reducing Alcohol Problems and the Action Plan for Combating Tobacco Consumption.
 
"The strategy for the promotion of healthy eating will be the most challenging since it has to face cultural issues, but it will have better health outcomes in the future. It involves education actions among young populations," said the government official.
 
Rui Luís stated mentioned the existence of short-term and long-term actions that are expected to be prolonged in time. They encompass different areas of governance.
 
"The future in health depends on the actions of the present. We have evaluated the last three years and we intend to contribute to improving the response capacity and the access of the Azorean population to these services, but each one of us has an important role to play in improving our own health," said the Regional Secretary.