"Return to normality" at Divino Espírito Santo Hospital highlighted by José Manuel Bolieiro - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

On the arrival of the President of the National Assembly, José Pedro Aguiar-Branco to São Miguel Island, the President of the Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, noted that seven days had passed since the return to normality at the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital (HDES).

He emphasised that the hospital's modular structure is already fully operational, guaranteeing the regular operation of health services.

The head of the Azorean Government expressed confidence in the health professionals and emphasised that "the decision to opt for the modular structure was always based on clinical guidelines."

The President of the Government stressed that the priority is the well-being of health users and their families, assuring that "the Government is doing its best" for them.

José Manuel Bolieiro also expressed his pride in the Regional Health Service and the HDES professionals, acknowledging their effort and dedication when responding to the fire on May 4, 2024.

He also pointed out that throughout this week of recovery, the HDES emergency services have registered a daily average of 250 to 300 patients, a similar number to the period before the incident. The Urgent Care Services of Health Centres have complemented the hospital response, preventing overload in the emergency rooms.

José Manuel Bolieiro considered the Azorean Government's immediate response to the incident a success and emphasised that the decisions were always based on "technical and scientific criteria." He also conveyed his confidence in the Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, praising her knowledge and technical skills, which were determining factors for her participation in today's emergency debate on HDES at the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores.

"When it comes to a hospital, we are not dealing with a building but rather a complex that provides health care and treatment for illnesses, which must above all consider the clinical component and the role of health professionals," concluded José Manuel Bolieiro.

José Pedro Aguiar-Branco ended today in São Miguel an official visit to the Region, where he also visited the island of Faial.