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Secretaria Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social
Regional Government launches campaign “A breastfeeding mother does not do it alone”
Regional Government launches campaign “A breastfeeding mother does not do it alone”
Secretaria Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social
Dental Voucher already received 368 applications with 97.6% approval rate in the Azores
Dental Voucher already received 368 applications with 97.6% approval rate in the Azores
Secretaria Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social
Azoreans with stroke diagnosis to be treated in the Region
Azoreans with stroke diagnosis to be treated in the Region
September 28, 2026
Regional Government launches campaign “A breastfeeding mother does not do it alone”
September 18, 2026
Dental Voucher already received 368 applications with 97.6% approval rate in the Azores
May 21, 2026
Azoreans with stroke diagnosis to be treated in the Region
News
Nota de Imprensa
September 28, 2026
Regional Government launches campaign “A breastfeeding mother does not do it alone”
The Government of the Azores, through the Regional Directorate for Health, is running the campaign "A breastfeeding mother does not do it alone" from September 2tond October 4 to mark National Breastfeeding Week and emphasise the importance of family, social, professional and community support for women who choose to breastfeed. As part of the Regional Programme for the Promotion of Healthy Eating and the Regional Health Plan 2030, under the "Promotion of Food and Nutritional Literacy" pillar, the initiative aims to raise public awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding whilst conveying the message that breastfeeding does not depend solely on the mother; there must be a genuine support network around her. One of the goals set out under this pillar is to increase the proportion of children exclusively breastfed up to six months to at least 25%, reinforcing the commitment to promoting, protecting and supporting breastfeeding from the very first moments of life. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and its continuation, accompanied by the introduction of appropriate and safe complementary foods, until the age of two or beyond. Despite the high rate of breastfeeding initiation, maintaining breastfeeding throughout the first few months of life remains a challenge. In the Azores, around one in four mothers report never having breastfed, and in Portugal, it is estimated that only 21.8% of children are exclusively breastfed until the age of six months. Against this backdrop, the Regional Directorate for Health aims to help raise public awareness of the importance of breastfeeding for the health and well-being of both mother and baby, whilst also highlighting the need for family, social and workplace environments that support its continuation. Throughout National Breastfeeding Week, testimonial videos and information materials will be published on the digital platforms of the Regional Directorate for Health, focusing on the various elements that make up the support network for breastfeeding women, ranging from immediate and extended family to healthcare professionals, friends and the workplace. The campaign will also be disseminated among regional public authorities, local authorities and institutions within the Regional Health Service, with a view to encouraging widespread community involvement in promoting, protecting and supporting breastfeeding. Under the slogan “A breastfeeding mother does not do it alone,” the initiative emphasises that creating the right conditions for breastfeeding is a shared responsibility and that “everyone plays a part in breastfeeding.”
September 28, 2026
Regional Government launches campaign “A breastfeeding mother does not do it alone”
The Government of the Azores, through the Regional Directorate for Health, is running the campaign "A breastfeeding mother does not do it alone" from September 2tond October 4 to mark National Breastfeeding Week and emphasise the importance of family, social, professional and community support for women who choose to breastfeed. As part of the Regional Programme for the Promotion of Healthy Eating and the Regional Health Plan 2030, under the "Promotion of Food and Nutritional Literacy" pillar, the initiative aims to raise public awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding whilst conveying the message that breastfeeding does not depend solely on the mother; there must be a genuine support network around her. One of the goals set out under this pillar is to increase the proportion of children exclusively breastfed up to six months to at least 25%, reinforcing the commitment to promoting, protecting and supporting breastfeeding from the very first moments of life. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and its continuation, accompanied by the introduction of appropriate and safe complementary foods, until the age of two or beyond. Despite the high rate of breastfeeding initiation, maintaining breastfeeding throughout the first few months of life remains a challenge. In the Azores, around one in four mothers report never having breastfed, and in Portugal, it is estimated that only 21.8% of children are exclusively breastfed until the age of six months. Against this backdrop, the Regional Directorate for Health aims to help raise public awareness of the importance of breastfeeding for the health and well-being of both mother and baby, whilst also highlighting the need for family, social and workplace environments that support its continuation. Throughout National Breastfeeding Week, testimonial videos and information materials will be published on the digital platforms of the Regional Directorate for Health, focusing on the various elements that make up the support network for breastfeeding women, ranging from immediate and extended family to healthcare professionals, friends and the workplace. The campaign will also be disseminated among regional public authorities, local authorities and institutions within the Regional Health Service, with a view to encouraging widespread community involvement in promoting, protecting and supporting breastfeeding. Under the slogan “A breastfeeding mother does not do it alone,” the initiative emphasises that creating the right conditions for breastfeeding is a shared responsibility and that “everyone plays a part in breastfeeding.”
Nota de Imprensa
September 18, 2026
Dental Voucher already received 368 applications with 97.6% approval rate in the Azores
The Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, highlighted the progress of the Dental Voucher programme in the Azores. According to the figures for August, 368 applications were submitted, with 359 already approved, which represents an approval rate of 97.6%. Established by Regional Legislative Decree no. 18/2025/A of July 14 and regulated by Ordinance no. 108-A/2025 of October 2, the programme aims to reduce financial hurdles to accessing dental care. A total of 368 applications were submitted, with 182 from São Miguel, 90 from Terceira, 73 from São Jorge, 22 from Pico, and one from Graciosa. Among the applications submitted, 359 were approved, while 1 was rejected and 8 were still pending or under analysis. According to the Regional Secretary, “these figures demonstrate a high approval rate and significant demand from Azoreans for a programme that is still in its consolidation phase.” In the 67 cases that have been duly processed and assessed financially, the treatment costs amount to €258,941.00, with patients contributing just 5% of the cost. “We are talking about around €246,000 in public funding already allocated to applications that have been duly processed and assessed, which significantly reduces the financial impact of these treatments on families,” emphasised the government official. The profile of beneficiaries shows a wide age range, with applicants aged 7 to 89, and an average age of 44. “Oral health must be regarded as an integral part of every person’s overall health. These figures show that we are providing a response that covers Azoreans across different age groups,” stated Mónica Seidi. The Dental Voucher programme is part of a broader strategy to strengthen oral healthcare provision within the Regional Health Service. Currently, about 30 dentists are spread across the nine island health centres, ensuring a decentralised public healthcare service throughout the archipelago. Supporting these professionals is also a priority for the Azorean Government, which is committed to approving the legal framework for the specialised dental career within the Regional Health Service. The Regional Government intends for the solution to be implemented in the Azores to go beyond the framework recently approved at a national level, published as Law no. 45/2026 of August 11, seeking to establish a more rewarding career path for professionals, tailored to the specific characteristics and needs of the Regional Health Service.
September 18, 2026
Dental Voucher already received 368 applications with 97.6% approval rate in the Azores
The Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, highlighted the progress of the Dental Voucher programme in the Azores. According to the figures for August, 368 applications were submitted, with 359 already approved, which represents an approval rate of 97.6%. Established by Regional Legislative Decree no. 18/2025/A of July 14 and regulated by Ordinance no. 108-A/2025 of October 2, the programme aims to reduce financial hurdles to accessing dental care. A total of 368 applications were submitted, with 182 from São Miguel, 90 from Terceira, 73 from São Jorge, 22 from Pico, and one from Graciosa. Among the applications submitted, 359 were approved, while 1 was rejected and 8 were still pending or under analysis. According to the Regional Secretary, “these figures demonstrate a high approval rate and significant demand from Azoreans for a programme that is still in its consolidation phase.” In the 67 cases that have been duly processed and assessed financially, the treatment costs amount to €258,941.00, with patients contributing just 5% of the cost. “We are talking about around €246,000 in public funding already allocated to applications that have been duly processed and assessed, which significantly reduces the financial impact of these treatments on families,” emphasised the government official. The profile of beneficiaries shows a wide age range, with applicants aged 7 to 89, and an average age of 44. “Oral health must be regarded as an integral part of every person’s overall health. These figures show that we are providing a response that covers Azoreans across different age groups,” stated Mónica Seidi. The Dental Voucher programme is part of a broader strategy to strengthen oral healthcare provision within the Regional Health Service. Currently, about 30 dentists are spread across the nine island health centres, ensuring a decentralised public healthcare service throughout the archipelago. Supporting these professionals is also a priority for the Azorean Government, which is committed to approving the legal framework for the specialised dental career within the Regional Health Service. The Regional Government intends for the solution to be implemented in the Azores to go beyond the framework recently approved at a national level, published as Law no. 45/2026 of August 11, seeking to establish a more rewarding career path for professionals, tailored to the specific characteristics and needs of the Regional Health Service.