- About us
- Rules, Guidelines and Communiqués
- Pharmacies
- PPCIRA
- PRS 2030
- Studies, Publications and Statistics
- Status of Surgery Waiting Lists - SIGICA
- Formação
Press release
Press release
Mónica Seidi met with National Commission for Medical Internship
Dear visitor,
Welcome to another space dedicated to health in the Region.
Health is a fundamental area nowadays. Physical well-being and mental well-being greatly contribute to the enrichment of the population at various levels. A healthy population contributes to a high level of self-esteem in the Region, leading to higher productivity and a healthier family environment.
However, health in the Azores Autonomous Region is not only about access to primary care through health care or access to differentiated care at hospitals. It also involves a health education area whose mission is to promote and disseminate measures towards the better use of health services by the population as well as to foster the participation of the community in the various health policy goals of the Region.
Therefore, the Regional Directorate for Health (DRS) is responsible for promoting this service as the operating system of the Regional Secretariat for Health (SReS) in the coordination, supervision, study and technical-normative support of the health sector.
In a digital era, it is the responsibility of the DRS to use all the technological means at its disposal to disseminate its services, making them available to the population in general. The use of this portal is, thus, justified as an effective means to achieve these goals.
The information provided in this area includes various types of support material for health users, whether institutional, generic or functional, all of which regarding regional health. From online forms to all kinds of news and events, this will be a dynamic area, so that users may find on these pages a point of interest for later consultation and useful information for occasional consultation.
Thank you.
July 30, 2024
Press release
As previously reported, and due to the microbiological contamination detected, the Poça da Dona Beija, Terra Nostra Parque and Caldeira Velha pools were closed on July 26 on the advice of the municipal health departments of Povoação and Ribeira Grande. In addition to closing the pools and barring visitors from the areas in question, instructions were also issued to proceed with shock disinfection, drainage, cleaning and disinfection of the pools, which was promptly carried out by the entities that own or manage these spaces. Yesterday, with the collaboration of the local health authorities and the São Miguel Island Health Unit (USISM), samples were taken from the thermal waters banned in the municipality of Povoação, and in Caldeira Velha this is expected to take place tomorrow. This delay was due to the need for a repair that precedes the filling of the pool for later sampling. All the samples were properly packaged and immediately sent to INSA - National Health Institution (Lisbon). The results are now awaited for a revision of the control and risk assessment measures, which are expected to take place within a week. The pools will only open again once the safety of users has been guaranteed. The Regional Directorate for Health praises the commitment and collaboration of the organisations managing the spaces in question, the local health authorities and the environmental health technicians involved. The Regional Directorate for Health also informs that it will continue to monitor the situation, in conjunction with the competent national and regional entities, implementing the measures deemed necessary for the defence of public health, and ensuring adequate surveillance, so that the frequency of these spaces is resumed as safely as possible.
July 26, 2024
Press release
The Regional Directorate for Health informs that an environmental investigation was carried out with the collection of thermal water samples at the Caldeira Velha, Poça da Dona Beija and Parque Terra Nostra thermal baths, São Miguel Island. The samples taken were tested at the National Health Institute (INSA), and the results indicated microbiological contamination. As such, good public health practice requires that when the result of microbiological testing of water is unsuitable for its intended purpose, measures must be implemented to guarantee the safety of the population. Therefore, according to the "Precautionary Principle," it was decided to implement the following measures in the sites identified above: 1) Determine the closing of the aforementioned spaces; 2) Exclude the public from the bath areas; 3) Carry out shock disinfection; 4) Carry out the draining, cleaning and disinfection of pools; 5) Review control and risk assessment measures; 6) Carry out new tests after the pools are refilled; 7) Maintain the closure of the said spaces until the risk assessment has produced satisfactory results. These instructions have been issued to the managing entities of the spaces in question, which are collaborating in an active and committed manner. The Regional Directorate for Health will continue to monitor the situation, applying any measures that may be necessary in defence of public health and ensuring adequate monitoring so that these spaces continue to be frequented as safely as possible.