Azorean Government prioritises health users and healthcare professionals in 2027 investment plans - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social

The Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, emphasised today that next year will be marked by a focus on the Regional Health Service’s greatest asset – people, placing health users and healthcare professionals at the heart of the Government’s priorities, alongside strengthening social protection for the most vulnerable citizens, with particular attention to children, young people and the elderly. She spoke during the parliamentary hearing on the review of the draft Plan and Budget of the Autonomous Region of the Azores for 2027.

"This is the largest Budget ever for the health sector and, for that reason too, it is a Budget that reflects responsibility. We have a truly people-centred Budget, and we want to manage it better so that we can provide better care," emphasised Mónica Seidi.

In healthcare, one of the areas highlighted was the Special Allowance for Oncological Patients (CEDO), whose daily rate will increase by 2.2% in 2027, thereby strengthening support for cancer patients. This measure is particularly relevant in an archipelago, where travelling to access healthcare often presents additional difficulties for patients and their families.

In addition, Mónica Seidi announced that the Regional Palliative Care Network is due to be implemented in 2027. The plan for its implementation is being discussed with palliative care teams, and the regulatory process is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

The government official also emphasised that the construction of the new Divino Espírito Santo Hospital (HDES) remains a priority for the Regional Government. The preliminary programme is already being drawn up internally with a view to preparing the necessary procedures and speeding up the next stages of the process. This work will create the necessary conditions to subsequently proceed with the launch of a public tender based on the design-build model, thereby continuing the process of bringing the new hospital to fruition.

Still regarding healthcare, one of the key new measures announced by the Regional Secretary is the introduction of an annual recruitment plan for regional hospitals, modelled on the system already in place in Island Health Centres. This measure aims to bring greater predictability to the management of human resources in hospitals, anticipating recruitment needs – particularly in light of retirements scheduled for 2027 – and ensuring more structured and timely planning, with a view to guaranteeing the continuity of healthcare provision.

“We want to give hospital administrations the tools they need to anticipate their needs and plan the recruitment of staff in good time, ensuring greater predictability and stability in the running of services,” emphasised Mónica Seidi.

As for Social Security, the government emphasised that protecting the most vulnerable members of society will remain a priority for the Government in 2027, with special emphasis on social support measures for children, young people and the elderly.

In this context, she confirmed the continuation of the ‘New Elderly’ programme, as well as projects previously funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), which will now be funded by the Regional Budget, namely scholarships, support for tuition fees and Study Support Centres.

“We want to continue building a more cohesive and supportive Region, ensuring that our social policies reach those who need them most, with particular attention to children, young people and the elderly,” emphasised the Regional Secretary.

She also reiterated the commitment to continue investing in the improvement of existing social services, always in collaboration with social sector organisations, with a view to meeting the needs of Azorean families and promoting social and territorial cohesion.