The Regional Secretary for Health stated in Angra do Heroísmo that the Santo Espírito Hospital of Terceira Island (HSEIT) registered "an increase of about one thousand annual surgeries" since the move to new facilities in 2012.This improvement is the result of a higher number of operating rooms available at the new building.

"The increase of surgeries is particularly noted in outpatient surgeries, which exceeds 50%. In 2012, an average of 500 surgeries was performed at this hospital, whereas in 2014 the number of surgeries grew to over 1,200.”

Speaking at the ceremony celebrating the Hospital's Day, the Regional Secretary stressed that this investment and the changes introduced in the surgery infrastructures of the three regional hospitals "ensure the performance of the highest number ever of scheduled surgeries."

With regard to outpatient consultations, Luís Cabral highlighted "another good example," pointing out the increase from 59,000 consultations in 2011 to 74,000 in 2014, which represents an increase of 25%.

"The increase of outpatient consultations and the implementation of measures by the administration boards of HSEIT and Terceira Island Health Unit contributed to a drop of nearly five thousand patients assisted at the emergency services, compared to previous years," revealed the government official.

According to the Regional Secretary, "this decrease is positive and proves that the idea of increased difficulties in the access to the Regional Health Services, as defended by some, is false."

"These are actual examples that clearly demonstrate that we have grown as regards to our capacity to monitor the health of our patients," added the Regional Secretary.

Opened on March 26, 2012, the Santo Espírito Hospital of Terceira Island celebrated the anniversary of the move to the new facilities with the organisation of several activities, including the opening of the hospital's museum.