New decree ensures faster issuance of multipurpose certificates, stresses Mónica Seidi - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social

Last week, the Azorean Parliament approved the proposal for a Regional Legislative Decree (replacing a 1999 decree) that determines the application of Decree-Law 202/96 of October 23 to the Autonomous Region of the Azores - the decree establishes the system for assessing the disability level of people with disabilities for subsequent access of measures and benefits provided for by law, with the necessary adaptations.

"Being able to provide a swift response to medical boards regarding the issuance of multipurpose medical certificates of disability has been overdue, and it is essential for our health users," stressed the Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security.

The proposal changes the composition of medical boards, which until now only allowed Regional Health Service doctors from a specific island health unit to be part of the boards, overloading the work of Primary Health Care doctors.

"The aim is not to eliminate this collaboration, but rather to increase the possibility of recruiting more doctors for this purpose, and, thus, reduce waiting times for our health users," she said.

This proposal was submitted to the Regional Parliament as a matter of urgency, she explained, "precisely because the Regional Directorate for Health informed us that there was a significant number of medical boards for assessing the disability level of people with disabilities long overdue." As a result, "it was important to make the procedure more efficient and swift."

Mónica Seidi acknowledged that the problem has a greater impact on the islands of Terceira, São Miguel and Faial. This exceptional recruitment should be temporary, just as it was in the post-pandemic period when waiting lists increased exponentially.

The legislation also stipulates that hierarchical appeals must follow the rules set out in the Code of Administrative Procedure and be addressed to the institution's governing body, in this case, the President of the Board of Directors of the respective Health Unit.