The Regional Secretary for Health stated in Angra do Heroísmo that the installation of a nuclear medicine unit in the Azores is another reason that "should make the Azores proud in their Regional Health Service," which continues to expand its range of services in order to "meet the needs of patients."

 Speaking at the opening of the Department of Nuclear Medicine at the Santo Espírito Hospital on Terceira Island, Luís Cabral highlighted the importance of nuclear medicine in the region insofar as it improves the responsiveness of the Regional Health Service, "providing Azorean citizens with complementary means of diagnosis and treatments in this area."

 The Secretary for Health said this is a "major investment" since it will transform the Regional Health Service by "increasing its responsiveness."

 "This project, which now begins on Terceira Island, will allow all regional health units to refer patients who require diagnostic and therapeutic means in this area for this Unit, which will no longer require patients to travel to Mainland Portugal," said the Regional Secretary.

 In his speech, Luís Cabral stressed that the reality of Nuclear Medicine in the Azores is the confirmation of "the effort of the Regional Government in the search for the best solutions and the means to ensure that the Azoreans feel pride in their Regional Health Service."

 The Regional Secretary considered that, with the implementation of more "health services that meet the needs of patients," it "also represents a significant improvement in the services provided to all Azoreans."

 The Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging is a Project of Regional Interest, promoted by the private company IsoPor Azores. It will operate in its own unit to be installed in the premises of Santo Espírito Hospital, thus providing the Azores with health care unit in this specific area.

 Nuclear medicine is a medical speciality that did not exist in the Azores. It uses small amounts of radioactive molecules for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, through safe and painless techniques.