The Regional Director for the Prevention and Combat of Dependency, Paula Costa, revealed in Ponta Delgada this morning the Government's intention to extend the continued care mobile teams to another 10 units across the archipelago.

According to the Regional Director for the Prevention and Combat of Dependency, there are two continued care mobile unites providing home care on the island of Terceira. Moreover, several protocols have been established with private institutions for the provision of continued care and, in some cases, of palliative care.

Paula Costa spoke on behalf of the Regional Secretary for Health at the opening session of the forum "End of Life - From Palliative Care to Thanatology," praising the importance of such events as they provide the Regional Government with new action strategies to achieve the best results in the responses provided.

At the occasion, the government official defended the Government's commitment to endow institutions with the necessary tools to ensure the well-being and quality of life of patients in a comprehensive and holistic approach to human suffering, which includes the needs of families and caregivers up to the period of mourning.

In order to fill this gap, the first continued care facility was created at Terceira hospital with capacity for five patients, revealed Paula Costa.
This service provides terminal palliative care and it also offers the possibility of family and friends of being with patients and comforting them with dignity.

In addition to this approach, Paula Costa also highlighted home care provided by health centre, which are the first institutions to assist in emergency situations.