The Regional Secretary for Health said on Friday that the amounts stipulated in the Budget, in conjunction with the measures to contain costs and reorganise services, will allow an economic balance of the health sector in 2012 as well as the reduction of hospitals' debts.

According to Miguel Correia, the estimated deficit of the three regional hospitals for the current year is of about 43 million Euros, representing an improvement of 8.6 million Euros compared to 2010.

In order reduce this deficit, revenue will be increased by 36.7 million Euros as a result of the 22 million Euro reinforcement in the funds allocated under the Regional Budget for 2012 and the transfers from healthcare centres transfer health centres to hospitals in the amount of 14.7 million Euros. In turn, these transfers are the result of the reduction of overtime work, salaries and respective costs, and the reorganisation of patient transportation system. Healthcare centres will also benefit from the implementation of the medicine policy, which estimates savings of 4.3 million Euros in 2012.

On the other hand, hospitals are expected to save 29.3 million Euros with the reduction of overtime work and salaries as well as with the centralised acquisition of medicines, medical consumables and meals. The prescription of medicines in single dose, electronic prescriptions, outsourcing of maintenance services and the reduction of subcontracts in clinical areas will also contribution to the reduction of costs in hospitals.

Furthermore, hospitals will be also required to save 5 million Euros.

These measures, either by increasing revenues or reducing costs, will contribute to the economic balance and the reduction of the 23 million Euro debt that expires in 2012.

"These two goals will be achieved without closing services and without diminishing the accessibility of people to health care," stressed Miguel Correia.

The Regional Secretary for Health also ensured that all jobs will be maintained. The estimated reductions are the result of national measures aimed at the reduction of salaries and the respective costs.