Mónica Seidi reiterates Azores’ commitment to health literacy
Ponta Delgada
Secretaria Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social
The Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, attended today the opening session of the training course “Health Literacy: A Regional Commitment,” an initiative organised under the Regional Programme for the Promotion of Health Literacy, as part of the Regional Health Plan 2030.
In her speech, the Regional Secretary emphasised that this training represents a strategic priority for the Region, based on the assessment of health literacy in the Autonomous Region of the Azores and the training of professionals, acknowledging their essential role as mediators between technical information and health users.
“Health Literacy is now an indispensable tool for promoting more informed decisions and better health choices. Informing is empowering, and empowering is promoting health,” stated Mónica Seidi.
The Regional Secretary also highlighted that communication is the main focus of Health Literacy, valuing health professionals as pillars of the Regional Health Service and recognising their mission not only in the provision of care, but also as messengers and ambassadors to the Azorean population.
Mónica Seidi also highlighted the crucial role of primary healthcare, given its close ties to local communities. She also called for continued investment in community-based care, always in coordination with Island Health Centres and professionals trained to respond more effectively to the needs of local communities.
In this context, the Regional Secretary for Health presented indicators reflecting the strengthened capacity of the Regional Health Service, highlighting that, as of March 31, 2026, the Azores had achieved 92% coverage of family doctors. Furthermore, since 2019, the Regional Health Service staff has increased by 581, including 250 nurses and 131 doctors. Over the course of this year, it is also planned to recruit a further 20 doctors for Primary Healthcare and 18 doctors for regional hospitals.
The Regional Secretary pointed out that disease prevention and health promotion remain key goals of regional policy, noting that 56.4% of Azoreans assess their health as good or very good, whilst chronic morbidity indicators remain below the national average.
“These figures encourage us to continue investing, innovating and strengthening strategies that place citizens at the heart of decision-making, promoting a healthier, better-informed and better-prepared Region for the future,” she concluded.
The event is taking place at the Ponta Delgada Public Library and Archives in a hybrid format and comprises a series of activities that will run until November, reinforcing health literacy as a regional priority.
