Media and news Regional Government of the Azores - Communication

Nota de Imprensa
March 3, 2025
Nota à imprensa - Lar de idosos do Nordeste
A Delegação de Saúde de Nordeste recebeu a notificação de oito casos de gripe A no Lar de Idosos da Santa Casa da Misericórdia do Nordeste. Em articulação estreita com a Direção Técnica do lar, as medidas de contingência foram de imediato ativadas. O lar tem 54 residentes e, como é comum nesta época do ano, alguns deles apresentam sintomatologia gripal ligeira. Apenas dois residentes não têm a sua vacinação em dia, por sua própria opção, estando os demais residentes vacinados. Dois residentes com quadro mais agravado, um dos quais não vacinado, foram internados no Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo e outros dois, um destes também não vacinado, encontram-se, neste momento, a ser avaliados no Serviço de Urgência daquele hospital. Os residentes que apresentam sintomatologia gripal foram isolados dos que não apresentam qualquer sintomatologia, tendo a recomendação de não circularem pelas áreas comuns. Os profissionais foram divididos em grupos que prestarão cuidados de forma exclusiva ao grupo assintomático ou ao grupo sintomático. Foi determinada a utilização de equipamento de proteção individual nos momentos adequados, e a utilização de máscara foi declarada obrigatória. Para salvaguarda dos residentes e melhor controlo do acontecimento, as visitas à instituição encontram-se suspensas. A Autoridade de Saúde Concelhia tem mantido constante comunicação com a Coordenação Regional de Saúde Pública e com a Autoridade de Saúde Regional, monitorizando permanentemente os acontecimentos, para assim tomar de imediato as medidas necessárias em cada momento.

Nota de Imprensa
March 3, 2025
Graciosa Health Unit fitted with new Oral Health chair
The Graciosa Island Health Unit has been fitted with new and modern oral health equipment, in this case a dental chair, as the previous one "was more than 20 years old, so this 18 thousand-Euro investment in a new chair was absolutely necessary," stressed Mónica Seidi, the Regional Secretary for Health. During her recent statutory visit to Graciosa, Mónica Seidi assessed the health investments on the island, noting that there has been a very significant increase in the amount invested. "We went from 62 thousand Euros between 2016 and 2020 to 346 thousand Euros between 2021 and 2024, an increase of about 450%," she said. Previously, in 2023, the Graciosa Health Centre had received a new X-ray machine to replace the previous one, which was already 18 years old. "Now, Graciosa has an X-ray with a higher level of digitisation that enables technicians to optimise time and results. It integrates functions that speed up procedures and there has been a notable increase in image quality, which has significantly improved diagnostic capacity," she said. The Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security specified that "these investments focused on equipment and beyond, as the Azorean Government has always endeavoured to strengthen human resources." "Compared to 2023, we have four more health professionals. Nevertheless, I acknowledge the need to continue working on attracting doctors," she said. However, "it is not enough to deliver equipment, we need to consider the proper functioning" of the Health Unit. "We have increased the monthly twelfth instalment, with a forecast of 19% between 2024 and 2025, a very significant figure demonstrating a very serious commitment on the Regional Government's part," she said.

Nota de Imprensa
February 28, 2025
Sofia Ribeiro highlights digitisation in Azorean schools
The Regional Secretary for Education, Culture and Sport, Sofia Ribeiro, highlighted the digitisation process in Azorean schools at the Digitisation in Education event, organised by the Observador newspaper and Samsung, which took place in Lisbon last Thursday. The government official began presenting the Computational Thinking project, "unique in the country," with "voluntary implementation" by the schools. Eventually, "all the school establishments in the Region" joined in. "The project, designed for the elementary and middle school levels, does not involve computers in the classroom. Rather, it leads students to structure their thinking and know how to convey it," she explained. Sofia Ribeiro also presented the project to dematerialise school textbooks, which has been implemented since the 5th grade. There are plans to extend this to the 12th grade by 2026. "It is not a tool that only transposes the book on paper into PDF format and provides information in reading format. It presents and explains the information in audiovisual formats, including tests and follow-up work. This allows teachers to get faster feedback on the students’ knowledge and, accordingly, ensure more meaningful learning," explained the government official. For the Secretary for Education, digital textbooks "are a valuable tool" that should be used in the classroom "to complement existing ones, stimulating more collaborative and innovative teaching practices." "There is no greater sign of equality in access to education than guaranteeing the same equipment, with the same tools, to all students in the same classroom," she highlighted.  Sofia Ribeiro added that it was a "very demanding" process. It included "implementing fast and effective internet access in all schools" and guaranteeing "a security component in accessing and tracking the equipment."

Nota de Imprensa
February 28, 2025
Press release - Health Officer in Praia da Vitória
The Regional Directorate for Health informs that the appointment of the new Health Officer for the Praia da Vitória Health Centre, Maria Antónia Dutra, was published today in the Azores Public Employment Exchange (BEPA). A general practitioner with a degree from the Juiz de Fora Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, she has held the same position on a replacement basis. Therefore, the Health Centre was not without a manager. The Regional Directorate of Health also informs that the former Health Officer has been absent since the beginning of 2024, so it was decided to replace her permanently in these duties. Maria Antónia Dutra now takes up the position on secondment for the municipality of Praia da Vitória over three years.  The Regional Directorate for Health also informs that an application process is underway for the external recruitment of doctors for that Health Centre to carry out disability assessment boards. As for the Medical Boards conducted by ADSE (Public Employees Healthcare System), there are plans to resume them on March 17, as another doctor has already been hired for this purpose.

Nota de Imprensa
February 28, 2025
Artur Lima highlights the Azores' ability to attract significant foreign investment
The Vice-President of the Regional Government, Artur Lima, emphasised the Azores' ability to establish themselves on the European and international scene as a region capable of attracting significant foreign investment. The archipelago is positioned ‘as a recognised centre for high-level research and favourable investment in the Atlantic Ocean," he stressed on the occasion of the three-day official visit by the Chinese Ambassador to Portugal, Zhao Bentang. The visit by the Chinese Embassy in Portugal, accompanied by a trade delegation, represented an opportunity to "show exactly what we are and what we have" in coordination with the Azores' business, agricultural, scientific and technological fabric, stressed Artur Lima. The meetings held in this context resulted in new possibilities for attracting foreign investment and "opportunities for exporting Azorean products to China," he pointed out. The Vice-Presidency organised the official visit through its Investment Services Department. On São Miguel Island, Ambassador Zhao Bentang and the 12 entrepreneurs present met with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ponta Delgada and the Azores Agricultural Federation. They also visited the Azores Manufacturing Centre.  On the second day, the Ambassador visited the University of the Azores, during the business delegation's visit to the Nonagon Park. On the third day, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Angra do Heroísmo welcomed the Chinese mission, followed by a visit to the company Fruter-Açores. This official visit was a major opportunity to demonstrate the Region's unique strengths. The parties explored business prospects in various areas, such as dairy production and its derivatives, aquaculture and science. In this regard, Artur Lima pointed out the commitment and "substantial investment in the Azores' scientific and technological development" in a global context of permanent innovation. The Vice-President of the Regional Government mentioned the importance of the University of the Azores in the current strategy. According to him, it is "a foundational institution for the Region's integrated and sustainable growth, and also a key pillar in the international projection of the Azores." Regarding the possibilities for cooperation with China, the Vice-President of the Government stressed that the Region "always welcomes those who want to help the Azores and those who want to help our economy." As such, he challenged Azorean entrepreneurs to maximise the opportunities presented by this business visit. The aim is for this "first step" in establishing trade relations to open up "other markets to our economy," concluded Artur Lima. This is the third visit by the Chinese Ambassador to Portugal, Zhao Bentang, to the Azores. Following the talks with the Ambassador, the possibility of twinning between the Autonomous Region of the Azores and the Province of Shandong, a Chinese centre of agricultural activity and marine economy, was addressed. The Regional Government was also invited to visit China in the future. ‘We will harness any opportunity to invest, attract investment and boost the Azorean economy," stated the Vice-President of the Government.

Nota de Imprensa
February 28, 2025
OTLJ applications until April 30 with new sub-programme for summer occupation
Young people interested in developing an occupation project during July and August under the OTLJ - Youth Free Time Occupation Programme must submit their application from March 1 to April 30 on the Azores Youth portal - juventude.azores.gov.pt.  This application phase, which is taking place simultaneously for young people and for OTLJ - Summer 2025 project promoters, is aimed at the "Holiday Occupation" and "Active Youth" sub-programmes, and the newly created "Summer in Occupation" sub-programme. Young people between 14 and 24 living in the Azores and currently enrolled in the 9th grade, equivalent, or secondary education, can apply for "Holiday Occupation." In turn, those living in the Azores aged between 15 and 24 can apply for "Active Youth" if they are covered by projects promoted by Private Social Solidarity Institutions (IPSS). The projects under these two sub-programmes run for 20 working days in July and August and cannot exceed five hours daily.  Young people receive a grant of three Euros per hour, which could total 207 Euros. This year, the latest addition is the newly created "Summer in Occupation" sub-programme.  This sub-programme is open to residents of the Azores between 16 and 24, enrolled in secondary, general or vocational education, or higher education. The projects run from July to August, for 35 working days, starting no later than the 5th working day of July, for a maximum of 20 hours a week, without exceeding 5 hours a day. Young people receive a grant of four Euros per hour, which could total 560 Euros if they complete their entire occupation. "The creation of this sub-programme includes promoters previously excluded from OTLJ, such as private companies, the social sector, the media and cooperatives. It promotes greater diversity and scope for occupation projects," stated the Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment this week. During the workshop introducing the sub-programmes to potential OTLJ promoters, Maria João Carreiro highlighted the importance of "Summer in Occupation" for young people's vocational and academic screening. She challenged organisations to apply for "projects in line with OTLJ's goals" that could bring "added value" to young people and "create good memories."  The OTLJ regulation in the Azores has not been revised in seven years.  The new regulation, published last January in the Official Journal, in addition to creating the new "Summer in Occupation" sub-programme, increased the number of grants awarded to young people by 20% and extended the deadline for applications from one to two months.   In addition to "Holiday Occupation," "Summer in Occupation" and"Active Youth," OTLJ also includes the "Young Students" sub-programme, for which applications can be submitted from September 1 to October 15 and from December 1 to January 15.  The length of the projects has been extended from four to five months as well as the occupation period (from November to May) and the recipients of this OTLJ sub-programme, which include young people enrolled in secondary, vocational and higher education.

Nota de Imprensa
February 27, 2025
First training course for journalists coordinated by CENJOR fully booked, new session open
Registrations for the first training course for journalists under the "Plan for the Azorean Media," a series of responses from the Regional Government for the sector, have already closed. However, the training organisation, CENJOR, has opened a new training course on the same subject - Improving Economics Journalism - given the interest shown by several professionals. The second session will take place in April, again in a hybrid format, with face-to-face modules, in São Miguel, on April 11 and 12. Registration for this second training course can be accessed via the following link: https://portal.cenjor.pt/courseaction/subscribe/2229.personal. All interested journalists residing in the Azores - who may also belong to public sector companies such as RTP, Antena 1 and the Lusa agency - will have to register on CENJOR's online platform. This training course in economics journalism, which will take place in Ponta Delgada, has been agreed between the organisation and the Regional Board of the Azorean Journalists' Union, a partner in this project. Any clarifications that may be necessary can be provided by CENJOR, via email to [email protected], or by the Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities. The training programme will ensure vacancies for journalists from all islands, including Flores and Corvo, even if there are only correspondents, and the Azorean diaspora, including journalists of Azorean origin working in North and South America. This course, like the March edition, will have a mixed format, with online and face-to-face components - travel and accommodation for journalists outside São Miguel will be provided by the Azorean Government. The "Plan for Azorean Media" is based on four areas of intervention: the Media Incentives System (SIM); the purchase of institutional advertising packages from media outlets; the subscription of publications, acquired by the Region, for distribution in schools and Private Social Solidarity Institutions (IPSS); and the training of Azorean journalists, in two annual actions, with content defined between CENJOR and the Regional Board of the Azorean Journalists' Union.

Nota de Imprensa
February 27, 2025
José Manuel Bolieiro defends Portugal's vision as "Atlantic country"
The President of the Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, was the guest speaker at the conference "Autonomy and the Regional Government," held at the Conceição Palace in Ponta Delgada, as part of the visit of the 49th National Defence Course 2024/2025 (CDN24/25) to the Autonomous Region of the Azores. The event, organised by the National Defence Institute (IDN), was attended by a delegation led by Colonel João Assis Barbas, director of the CDN, and Colonel José Teixeira Leite, deputy director of the course, and 50 auditors from various sectors of the Portuguese society. The head of the Azorean Government stressed the Azores' geopolitical and geostrategic importance for Portugal and the European Union, stressing the archipelago's fundamental role in the country's Atlantic projection. "The Azores bring a new dimension to Portugal and the European Union, not only because of their strategic position in the Atlantic but also because of their contribution to security and defence in Europe," stated José Manuel Bolieiro. He also emphasised the importance of the Azores' sea and space in a global context, defending the vision of an archipelago country with an Atlantic border decisive for its international impact. "Portugal must fully recognise itself as an Atlantic country, where the Azores are a relevant strategic asset, strengthening our role in the European Union and the world," he stressed. Regarding regional autonomy, José Manuel Bolieiro defended that it does not weaken but rather enhances and adds value to the country, reiterating the Azores' contribution to national identity. José Manuel Bolieiro also praised IDN's choice to include the Azores in the National Defence Course programme, acknowledging the archipelago's importance as a space for strategic debate and reflection on the country's security and defence. The National Defence Course, annually organised by IDN, aims to foster dialogue between National Defence and civil society, addressing matters in Political Science, International Relations, Strategy, Economics, Security and Defence.