Four more Regional Health Plan 2030 programmes presented - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social

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."