The President of the Government of the Azores said today that amounts transferred to the Regional Health Service, which represented an investment of about 40 percent between 2010 and 2013, were all invested in the improvement of the health care provided to the Azorean population.

"The evolution of various indicators, either in terms of consultation, surgeries or diagnostic procedures, demonstrates that the Azores have made an unprecedented leap towards the improvement of quality in their public health network," said Vasco Cordeiro. The government official spoke at the opening of the expansion and renewal works of Santa Maria Island Health Unit.

On the first day of the statutory visit, the President of the Government stressed that the Regional Health Service is "one of the greatest achievements of the autonomic system." In just a few years, it underwent a profound change that had a significant impact on the expansion of health care to the population.

Despite this evolution and the "meritorious efforts", Vasco Cordeiro stated the Government is aware that the challenges that are yet to overcome outweigh the work that has been done."

In his speech, the President of the Government added that the Government is developing a modernisation plan for the premises of the Regional Health Service. It aims to improve the conditions for the provision of health care by building modern infrastructures, duly adapted to new functions and demands, ensuring great comfort to patients and boosting the efficiency of services.

"For example, the expansion works of Horta Hospital and the construction of Madalena do Pico Health Centre are at final phase. In addition, the construction works of the new Ponta Delgada Health Centre are ongoing," reminded the government official.

According to the President of the Government, the investments in infrastructures contribute to the implementation of the measures provided in the Action Plan for the Restructuring of Health. This effort is being consolidated, though not always visible. However, its positive effects are being felt on the daily activities of hospitals and health units.

"We can say that hospitals are increasingly focusing on different tasks, while health centres are directed at the provision of proximity services," assured Vasco Cordeiro. In this context, the government official pointed out home care services provided by regional health centres, which surpassed 111 thousand visits in 2012; it represents a significant growth of 16 percent compared to 2011.

With the works opened today, with a budget over one million Euros, the Santa Maria Health is now equipped with six offices for speciality consultations, a minor surgery room and another room for gastroenterology exams. In addition, health professionals in the areas nutrition, psychology and speech therapy will now have their own offices.

The new health centre comprises a larger space with better conditions for physical therapy; the laboratory will be installed in the former physical therapy premises.