The Regional Secretary for Health has requested the collaboration of the Azores Regional Council of the Portuguese Medical Association on the "dissemination of measures aimed at the sustainability of the Regional Health Service" and the "implementation of Clinical Guidance Standards" at regional health units.

The request is part of the response to the letter sent by the Azores Regional Council of the Portuguese Medical Association asking for an explanation on the cancellation of surgeries at Ponta Delgada Hospital.

In regard to this issue, Luís Cabral confirmed the existence of constraints to the normal operation of the operating rooms of Divino Espírito Santo Hospital on January 14 and 15. The government official also informed that the situation is being subject to an internal investigation.

The Medical Association showed concern for the medical liability associated with this case, but for the Regional Secretary for Health, this situation "does not raise questions of medical liability as it was the result of management and provisioning issues."

"In order to avoid a similar situation," Luís Cabral requested "the collaboration of the Medical Association in the implementation and dissemination of sustainability measures for the Regional Health Service with special emphasis on the debate and implementation of the Clinical Guidance Standards at all regional health units."