Media and news Regional Government of the Azores - Communication

Nota de Imprensa
December 21, 2024
Nova 'app' MySaude Açores entrou em fase de testes 
A MySaude Açores, nova aplicação de telemóvel que irá congregar um leque de diferentes opções do Serviço Regional de Saúde, entrou esta sexta-feira em fase de testes. A aplicação, inserida no projeto MUSA, meta A do Hospital Digital, é um investimento PRR e tem o objetivo de chegar aos 25 mil acessos até setembro. A 'App' já foi descarregada perto de 400 vezes e “o comentário geral, até agora, é que é realmente muito simples", destaca Mónica Seidi. "Basta termos o nosso número de utente para fazer a inscrição” esclarece a Secretária Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social. A aplicação tem neste momento, como funcionalidades, os agendamentos, os dados dos utentes e a teleconsulta, “para que se possa começar a perceber a operabilidade do que já existe, fazer alterações e ter novas ideias e o número de funcionalidades irá crescendo”.  A fase de testes decorre na Unidade de Saúde de Ilha de São Miguel e são estes trabalhadores “que terão um primeiro contacto com a aplicação” explica Mónica Seidi, que sublinha, contudo, estar ainda em causa a chamada fase “beta". "Estes utilizadores experimentam a 'app' e nós conseguimos perceber o que funciona bem e o que é preciso mudar”, diz. E concretiza: "em finais de janeiro, esta já será uma aplicação pública, que poderá ser descarregada por qualquer utente do Serviço Regional de Saúde, e vão surgir, claro, novas funcionalidades. Vamos chegar a todos os açorianos e vamos dar um grande passo na acessibilidade aos cuidados de saúde”.

Nota de Imprensa
December 20, 2024
Proposal for bathing waters to be identified in the Azores in 2025 already out for public consultation
The Regional Secretariat for the Sea and Fisheries, through the Regional Directorate for Maritime Policies, is conducting a public consultation on the coastal bathing waters to be identified in 2025 on all islands. The proposal is to identify 88 bathing waters for the next season, the same number as in 2024. This public consultation is accessible on the Regional Government website at https://portal.azores.gov.pt/web/gov/consultas until January 31, 2025. Contributions should be preferentially emailed to the following address: [email protected]. The procedure for identifying bathing waters aims to ensure that, every year, bathing waters are identified as suitable for bathing in the sea whilst safeguarding public health. The public consultation underlines the importance of public information and participation. It is an opportunity for any interested person or organisation to submit their comments and suggestions, particularly the conditions for using bathing waters, the safety of bathers and the sustainability of natural systems. After the technical assessment of all the contributions, the list of coastal bathing waters identified for 2025 is approved by ordinance and published in the Official Journal of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, in conjunction with the duration of the bathing season for each bathing area. A bathing water quality monitoring programme will be implemented throughout the bathing season, collecting samples, checking their suitability for bathing, and deciding on the measures to be taken in the event of microbiological or other forms of contamination.

Nota de Imprensa
December 20, 2024
Regional Government promotes regional survey of Basic Education students' vocational interests
Next year, the Regional Secretariat for Youth, Housing and Employment, through the Employment and Vocational Training Observatory, will promote a regional survey among Basic Education students, specifically 8th and 9th graders in regional schools, to identify their vocational interests and potential decisions after completing this cycle of studies.  The results will be used as a tool to support Azorean Vocational Schools in proposing, providing and opening new level 4 vocational courses, stated the Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment, Maria João Carreiro, at the diploma award ceremony for the Tourism Training School (EFTA) graduates.  ‘’Similar to the survey conducted in 2023, valid for two years, this new study is intended to support vocational schools in defining a range of courses tailored to young people's interests and the needs of the labour market as a complement to the surveys conducted by schools among students and employers,‘’ she explained.  Maria João Carreiro emphasised that the number of new students in Vocational Education at Vocational Schools has increased in the Azores since 2022, "a positive trend reflecting the confidence that this educational path is generating among young people and parents today." "Regional economy needs qualified young people with the skills acquired in vocational education at vocational schools," she emphasised, praising the Azorean Government's joint work with vocational schools to establish the strategic importance of this form of education.  The Regional Secretary also mentioned the public recognition of the quality and excellence of Vocational Education in the Azores, mentioning as an example the 18 medals won this year by Azorean trainees in the National Skills Championship and the victory of trainees André Ferreira, Carolina Gaspar and André Pacheco, from EFTA, in the "Young Culinary Talent" 2024 competition. "Among the trainees from Azorean Vocational Schools are national champions in areas such as Web Technologies, Confectionary, Caring, Cloud Computing, Cyber Security, Mobile Application Development or Accounting. These achievements make us all proud and confirm that vocational education is a choice that leads students to good results," she said.  According to the government official, young people completing level 4 courses now benefit from increased support for hiring and settling in the Azores, through measures such as CONTRATAR and the "+ Youth" package.  More than twenty EFTA trainees received their level 4 diploma, which confers double certification, in Restaurant/Bar and Culinary/Confectionary. Maria João Carreiro urged them to "stay in the Region and contribute to the promotion of tourism in the Azores by putting into practice the excellent training they received at EFTA."   The ceremony was also attended by the President of the AVEA Board, Eládio Braga, the Regional Director for Vocational Training and Employment, Renato Medeiros, and representatives of public and private organisations that are partners of the Azores Tourism Training School.

Nota de Imprensa
December 19, 2024
Court of Auditors grants favourable approval to construction of support infrastructures for São Mateus fishing port
The Court of Auditors has just granted favourable approval to the works contract for the construction of infrastructures to support the São Mateus da Calheta fishing port on the island of Terceira. This project, awarded by the Regional Secretariat for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures in collaboration with the Regional Secretariat for the Sea and Fisheries, represents an investment of €1,134,480.00 (including VAT). The works contract was awarded to the company Trepa Construção Civil, Lda. The project aims to improve the support infrastructures at that fishing harbour, providing professionals in the sector with improved working conditions. In this regard, the intervention includes the construction of fishing gear houses, gear preparation and storage areas, and sanitary facilities. It should be noted that the São Mateus da Calheta fishing port is the most important on the south coast of Terceira Island and one of the main unloading and first sale points for fish in the Azores.

Nota de Imprensa
December 19, 2024
Azores brand with 4% growth in membership in 2024 compared to last year
According to the Secretary for Agriculture and Food, António Ventura, the Azores Brand saw a 4.04% increase in membership in 2024 compared to 2023, "representing a 5.8% increase in new promoters." As for 311 companies on the nine islands, the Azores Brand certification covers 6,512 labels for products, services, and establishments, with food products making up the majority. "This growth demonstrates the trust built up among member companies through the promotion of different initiatives advertising Azores Brand-certified products, services and establishments," he said. The Azores Brand Management Promotion Office, a service within the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Food, has developed numerous activities that target different audiences and markets in an integrated and consistent approach. This year was marked by the ongoing investment in various forms of communication and promotion, namely communication through social networks and audiovisuals, the promotion of brand activation events, the establishment of new commercial and institutional partnerships and participation in trade fairs, whether exclusively professional or aimed at consumers.  In this regard, António Ventura highlighted the participation of several companies with the Azores Brand seal in international and professional fairs such as the Lisbon Food Affair and SAGAL - Sabores de Portugal. In addition to exclusively professional events, with a view to optimising business-to-business relations, the Azores Brand Management Promotion Office also invests in brand activations aimed at consumers.  For example, he said, Taste Azores Colombo has been held annually in Lisbon since 2017 - only suspended by the pandemic in 2020 and 2021 - "and has provided direct contact between Azorean companies and thousands of national consumers every year." Also regarding different brand action initiatives, this year the Azores Brand was present at the Lisbon Travel Market, Foiling Week in Italy, the Sentir o Pico event, the presentation of the 19th International Festival of the Azores, the BPI Golf Championship, the Pico Agricultural Fair and the World Cheese Awards. Alongside these activations and as part of the business-to-consumer component, the Azores Brand Management Promotion Office organised a two-week campaign with regional retailers, involving 43 establishments on all the archipelago's islands. The initiative encouraged consumers to choose Azores brand-certified products promoted directly by producers in more than 90 tasting moments.  With a view to promoting the proximity and development of the catering establishments joining Azores Brand, this promotion "was developed this year, along with the events held last year on the islands of Flores and Corvo, with an activation on the island of Santa Maria. It featured nationally and regionally renowned “chefs” who, together with local restaurants and producers, worked to promote regional products," stated António Ventura. 

Nota de Imprensa
December 18, 2024
Vessel Azores Ocean will serve "Portugal as a whole" and consolidate Region's role in research field, highlights José Manuel Bolieiro
The President of the Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, stated in Vigo that the research vessel Azores Ocean, launched today, will serve ‘Portugal as a whole’ and strengthen the Region's role in the research field. During the session held at the Armon shipyards, which José Manuel Bolieiro thanked for their "competence, diligence and ability to deliver," he recalled the progress of the investment, highlighting the Azores' “commitment” to their sea. "We are more sea than land and with science, we are developing an Atlantic country with relevance in the world. We are setting good examples. We are an example of sustainability," José Manuel Bolieiro also pointed out. The research vessel is estimated to cost around 20 million Euros, an investment under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP). As part of a strategy to increase energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact, this investment aims to build a modern platform with high technological standards in terms of capacity, equipment, and high energy performance. For the President of the Government, initiatives such as the Azores Ocean represent "disruptive elements" that have as their core "a greater purpose that has to do with Azorean and Portuguese identity." "This is not just an occasion for a political message or a political cycle but for a goal and a cause that transcends generations, regions and states," he continued, before recalling the Azores' role, also in the maritime field, in establishing Marine Protected Areas. The Azores Ocean initiative aims to provide the Region with a technological platform for accessing the deep sea in the central north-east Atlantic, particularly the archipelago's Exclusive Economic Zone. "The Azores want to be relevant in the future we are building today. With sustainability, science, research and service to humanity," José Manuel Bolieiro stated, reiterating his desire to transform “a Region of needs into a Region of opportunities." The vessel will now be outfitted. It will travel to the archipelago at the end of 2025 and be registered in the Portuguese Flag Register as a research vessel with a minimum capacity of 20 people for global navigation, excluding ice zones, ten technical crew members and ten scientific crew members. In addition, the vessel will have a minimum capacity of 30 people on daily voyages. The new research vessel will operate, among other things, in areas such as seabed mapping (bathymetry based on acoustic equipment), biological prospecting and exploration of organisms with biotechnological aptitude, support for the development of offshore renewable energy production technologies and staff training as part of the Azores Maritime School. Among other equipment, the vessel will be fitted with electronic acoustic equipment to maximise the platform's research potential to a depth of at least 5 thousand metres. With a length of 45.95 metres and a beam of 10.5 metres, the vessel will have an autonomy of 15 days, using diesel-electric propulsion. It will include cabins corresponding to the maximum capacity, a classroom, laboratories (dry and wet) and a data centre. Together with the future Technopole - Martec research centre, which is to be built in Horta, the new vessel will bring new opportunities for scientific research and development in fisheries, biotechnology, and marine engineering. Today's session in Vigo was also attended by organisations such as the Secretary of State for the Sea, Lídia Bulcão, representing the Prime Minister, and the Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral João Silva Pereira, representing the Chief of the Naval Staff. On the occasion, José Manuel Bolieiro highlighted the relations with the National Government and the Naval Staff, intending to continue strategic actions in synergy with both entities.

Nota de Imprensa
December 18, 2024
Four more Regional Health Plan 2030 programmes presented
The Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, presided over the presentation of the four regional programmes that are still missing from the Regional Health Plan: the Regional Programme to Combat Oncological Diseases, the Regional Programme to Monitor and Improve Infant Mortality, the Regional Programme for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases, and the Regional Programme to Promote Care Integration. According to the government official, these are areas that the Regional Government believes need more specific attention, as they are regional programmes with a direct impact on the mortality rate in the Autonomous Region of the Azores and on the Azoreans' average life expectancy. The Secretary for Health and Social Security stated that the 2030 Regional Health Plan is based not only on prevention but also considers the need to reverse indicators in which the Region has shown less positive results. "These are priority indicators but without ever neglecting prevention and enlightening the population," she added. She recalled: "These programmes are interconnected, and information needs to be integrated, not least to keep professionals motivated, avoid dispersion, and pass on a consistent message." The Regional Secretary considered this an ambitious plan, and for this reason, it is already being implemented. For example, she mentioned the Regional Health Literacy Plan, "which has already included seven actions in Terceira aimed at an older audience and managed to receive interesting contributions from various areas through thematic assemblies." This relevant initiative will reach São Miguel in 2025 and take on other formats, also aimed at the youngest with the launch of a board game and a television programme. She continued: "The first phase of the Azorean Single Health Model (MUSA) is entering its testing phase this week, in a closed environment, and it will grow in phases. As for the screenings conducted by the Azores Oncology Centre (COA), we are already up and running with a very significant uptake. Nevertheless, it is important to remember that these plans are different and the pace of their implementation reflects this."

Nota de Imprensa
December 18, 2024
Vocational schools are already receiving new equipment purchased under RRP
Azorean Vocational Schools are already receiving the new equipment acquired through Measure M9 - Support for Vocational Schools with Intervention in the Training and Professional Reconversion of Adults in the Azores under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP). More than two million Euros have already been paid out to these organisations, i.e. 70% of the overall amount approved. Of this sum of more than two million Euros, about 290 thousand Euros concern the payment of VAT on the new purchases and was fully borne by the Region by decision of the Regional Government, through the Regional Secretariat for Youth, Housing and Employment. The decision exempted Azorean Vocational Schools from any costs associated with their modernisation. Maria João Carreiro presented the progress report on the implementation of this important measure for Vocational Schools today during the diploma delivery ceremony for about 100 graduates of MEP - Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Ponta Delgada Vocational School. The event was also attended by the Regional Director for Vocational Training and Employment, Renato Medeiros. "In the Azores, we were pioneers when we decided and announced in June last year that the Region would bear the VAT so that no vocational school would miss out on this opportunity to respond to the challenges of digitisation, distance learning and the labour market itself," explained the Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment. The equipment purchased includes interactive whiteboards and videoconferencing systems, computer equipment such as desktop and laptop computers, tablets, devices to support the practical application of training in the areas of farming, cooking, catering, hospitality, health and well-being, and licences to operate this equipment. "This investment under the PRR and the Region allows us to consolidate the installed capacity and create other training possibilities for Vocational Schools. The Azores need qualified young people and adults with the practical skills of vocational education, and for this reason, this investment in adapting equipment to the labour market is always a good investment," she stressed. Maria João Carreiro praised the "ambitious joint work" carried out by the Regional Government and Vocational Schools to establish the importance of Vocational Education for the Region, underpinned by the Regional Agenda for Vocational Training, mentioning the MEP School's new graduates as a "good example of the quality of training" in the Azores. "Your skills, ability to improve procedures, and your talent for transformation, endeavour and innovation are needed in the regional economy. We are counting on you to raise awareness not only among young people about choosing this educational path but also among companies about the benefits of hiring young people with vocational training," she said. The Regional Secretary also emphasised that ‘young people who complete level 4 courses now benefit from increased support in terms of hiring and settling in the Azores, through measures such as Contratar and the “+ Youth” package. The graduates of the Agricultural Technician, Health Care Assistant, Legal Services Technician, Family Support and Community Support Technician and Environmental Management Technician courses received their level 4 vocational diploma to whom Maria João Carreiro conveyed her "pride in the results and confidence in a promising future." The Regional Secretary also praised the work of MEP, a Vocational School with 160 trainees. It has in its coordinators, counsellors, trainers and management "the best resources and means to scientifically and technically train the young people choosing this educational path, fulfilling its calling for training excellence."