The Regional Secretary for Health expressed today in Ponta Delgada his "satisfaction and pride" with the creation of the Treatment Centre for Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion at the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital. In this context, the government official considered that this is "another service available to the patients of the Regional Health Service that will contribute to the prevention of diseases arising from diabetes.”

Luís Cabral spoke at the signing ceremony of a cooperation agreement between the Regional Directorate for Health, the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital and the Portuguese Protective Association of Diabetics. It aims to promote the access of Regional Health Service users diagnosed with diabetes to treatment with a continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion device.

In his speech, Luís Cabral stressed that the Azores are one of the regions that are in the "forefront" in the treatment of this disease.

"At the time of the restructuring the Regional Health Service, it is essential to give a clear signal that we are continuing our investment in new technologies for the treatment of our patients, such as this case, and that we are searching for new and better ways of treating patients on a daily basis," said the government official.

The treatment centre now established will be composed of a team of professionals, who are currently in training. They are duly qualified to carry out these procedures as well as to deal with emergency situations.

The Regional Secretary also highlighted the added value generated by this service, which "provides 24-hour care in order to ensure a response capacity in this area, regardless of circumstances."

"This centre offers innovative treatment, which may be especially important for younger patients. It will reduce the number of daily insulin shots, not only for the monitoring of sugar levels but also for the administration of insulin. Moreover, this treatment will ensure the adherence of younger patients, who have difficulties in accepting the disease," said the Secretary for Health.

With these new devices, added the Regional Secretary, "there will be a better adhesion of young people and this ensures that they reach an adult age with their diabetes levels monitored, which will avoid other health conditions that arise from the disease."

The treatment centre will provide specific consultation to patients undergoing intensive therapy with a continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion pump and will also follow patients diagnosed with this pathology.