The Regional Secretary for Health highlighted in Horta a substantial increase in the allocation of funds to this sector. The additional appropriation of eight million Euros in the Investment Plan for next year represents a 30% increase over 2018.
 
Rui Luís spoke Wednesday at the Legislative Assembly during the hearings on the proposals for the 2019 Plan and Budget. On the occasion, he added that part of these funds will be allocated to ensure accessibility of the Azorean population to the Regional Health Service.
 
"The new regulations on the movement of patients have provided a new impetus not only to the movement of specialists to the islands without hospital, but also to the movement of patients to the islands with a hospital. Hence, we will focus our investment in this area so that accessibility does not become a problem for the Azorean population," said the government official.
 
Regarding investments in infrastructures, Rui Luis highlighted the investments planned for 2019, pointing out the construction of the new Health Centre on Faial Island and the second phase of Block C building of Horta Hospital. he also mentioned the remodelling of the Health Centres pf Velas, Santa Cruz das Flores and Lajes do Pico as well as the remodelling of the Emergency and External Consultation Services of Divino Espírito Santo Hospital, "which we expect to begin in 2019."
 
Speaking to journalists, Rui Luís revealed that the reduction in waiting time for patients on surgery waiting lists remains strategic next year with "the investment necessary for the Cirurge programme. This combined with increased production and normal production in hospitals will help reducing the waiting time."
 
As for Civil Protection, the 20419 Plan provides an increase of two million Euros, with priority being given to works in fire stations and the acquisition of 22 ambulances for fire brigades.
 
"I would like to highlight the beginning of the construction of the new Fire Station on Faial and the Povoação Fire Station on São Miguel as well as the strong investment in equipment, especially in ambulances," said the government official.
 
In terms of equipment for brigades, the Regional Secretary reiterated the importance of investments already announced in personal protective equipment, but also in search and rescue equipment in collapsed structures, taking into account the reality of the archipelago.
 
The proposed Plan for 2019 provides for an overall allocation of 45 million Euros to Health and Civil Protection, representing an increase of 10.6 million Euros over 2018.