Regional Secretariat for Health and Social Security to launch pilot project for Walking Blood Banks - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social

The Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, has determined, pursuant to Order No. 603/2026 of March 23, published in the Official Journal, the creation of a Working Group to develop the Walking Blood Banks pilot project. This innovative initiative seeks to strengthen the Regional Health Service’s response capacity in emergencies and catastrophes. It is inspired by models already studied and implemented internationally, particularly in military contexts and emergency response in remote areas.

“This project represents a decisive step towards strengthening the resilience of our healthcare system, particularly in an archipelago such as the Azores, where logistical constraints can jeopardise a timely response,” stated the government official. 

The pilot project will be implemented on the islands of Graciosa, Flores and Santa Maria by establishing local pools of blood donors who have been previously identified, assessed and monitored. When necessary, these donors can be quickly mobilised to their respective island health centres, ensuring a swift, safe and effective response in emergencies, such as accidents or other types of trauma.

“The aim is to ensure that, even in exceptional circumstances, we can guarantee the rapid and safe supply of blood, saving lives and reducing our reliance on external factors,” emphasised Mónica Seidi.

The newly established Working Group comprises representatives from various organisations with technical and operational expertise in this field, namely the Portuguese Blood and Transplantation Institute, the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service, the Regional Directorate for Health, and the three regional hospitals: Divino Espírito Santo Hospital in Ponta Delgada, Santo Espírito Hospital of Terceira Island, and Horta Hospital.

The primary responsibilities of this group include defining donor selection and recruitment criteria, establishing clinical and operational protocols, drafting a technical and procedural guide, and setting up mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating the project.

The Working Group will be temporary, overseeing all phases of the pilot project until its implementation, after which the possibility of extending this model to other islands in the archipelago will be assessed.

With this measure, the Azorean Government reinforces its commitment to the safety, quality and responsiveness of the Regional Health Service, promoting innovative solutions tailored to the realities of island life.