Bolieiro calls for health-sector waste cuts at Livramento and São Roque inauguration
Azores GuideA new health unit in Ponta Delgada has a €5.6 million Recovery and Resilience Plan budget and will have four doctors.
Azores Government President José Manuel Bolieiro said health is a priority strategic sector that requires significant budget effort and that waste in the sector should be fought. He made the remarks at the inauguration of the Livramento and São Roque Health Unit in Ponta Delgada.
Bolieiro said the government is combating chronic underfunding in the Regional Health Service, in both primary care and hospitals, with very significant sums. He said the budget effort is justified because the government views people according to their dignity, not as a cost.
He said spending and investment across the Regional Health Service are increasing and are often difficult to manage financially, but that he is sure the government is on the right path. Bolieiro also said the Azores Government met Recovery and Resilience Plan milestones despite difficulties and limited public works teams.
The unit will have four doctors and has a €5.6 million budget under the Recovery and Resilience Plan. Bolieiro said family doctor coverage is 97% on São Miguel and 99% in the area to be served by the unit.
Bolieiro said the 2027 Azores budget will include funding to build a new Ribeira Grande Health Centre. He said the current centre's conditions are far below the necessary dignity.
Sandra Silva, president of the São Miguel Island Health Unit, said the new unit is part of the modernization of primary health care. She said medium-term plans include investment, in addition to existing human resources, in more doctors, nurses, psychologists, nutrition and dental medicine.
Sources
Azores Guide
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