The Regional Secretary for Health announced today that the Blood and Transplant Authority has issued a certificate authorising the Horta Hospital to collect human blood and manage blood components. The government official considered that it recognises "the quality of the services provided to patients."

For Luís Cabral, the certification "recognises the work developed by the Immunotherapy Service at the Horta Hospital." In turn, it represents for citizens "the enhancement of safety in blood donation and transfusion, and even in the use of blood products."

The Ponta Delgada and Angra do Heroísmo Hospitals are about to finalise their procedures for the issuing of a certificate by the Blood and Transplant Authority.

Moreover, there are other accreditation processes for health units are currently ongoing. Next Thursday, June 5, the technicians from the Directorate-General of Health will meet to assess the ongoing procedures for the certification of health units on the islands of São Miguel, Terceira and Faial.
 
In the case of hospitals, the process for quality accreditation by the Joint Commission International (JCI) has already started. This accreditation organisation is considered to be "one of the most demanding international agencies."

The aim is to endow Azorean hospital units with international quality accreditation in order to "seize the potentialities of health tourism," said Luís Cabral.