The Regional Secretary for Health launched in Angra do Heroísmo a challenge to the administration boards of regional health units and hospitals towards a proximity strategy for the humanisation of health services.
 
"Humanisation stems from three areas of action that we have to take into account in the future. They involve management, human resources and patients," stressed Rui Luís, who spoke at the 4th Workshop on Good Health Practices.
 
In his speech, the Secretary for Health stated that these are the conclusions of the preliminary results of the working group established in May to create the manual of good practices for the humanisation model.
 
"Patients are our main focus and, sometimes, we do not always remember that in our busy professional lives," the Regional Secretary said, stressing that "this proximity has to be extended at all levels."
 
Rui Luís also stressed the importance of decentralising this meeting. According to him, it should be held annually on different islands of the archipelago. There is also the possibility of opening the meeting to the public in future editions.
 
Promoted by Saudaçor, the Workshop on Good Health Practices has already been held in Povoação (S. Miguel Island), Lajes do Pico (Pico Island) and Vila do Porto (Santa Maria Island).
 
This is an event that aims to promote the sharing of good practices among the archipelago's health units in order to improve the care provided to the Azorean population.
 
According to Rui Luís, "there are good practices implemented in all Island Health Units," adding that it is necessary to undertake an effort to promote "what we do well as opposed to what we are constantly being accused of doing wrong."
 
In this regard, the government official emphasised the existence of a good Regional Health Service with good infrastructures and good professionals.
 
"When we compare our Regional Health Service with the national reality, I conclude that we are far away from the national public reality. Hence, we have an excellent Regional Health Service," said Rui Luís.