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Secretaria Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social
Press release
Press release
Secretaria Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social
Mónica Seidi highlights importance of MOVida 2 project in promoting active ageing
Mónica Seidi highlights importance of MOVida 2 project in promoting active ageing
Secretaria Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social
Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security highlights 95% GP coverage rate in Ponta Delgada
Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security highlights 95% GP coverage rate in Ponta Delgada
February 3, 2026
Press release
January 31, 2026
Mónica Seidi highlights importance of MOVida 2 project in promoting active ageing
January 29, 2026
Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security highlights 95% GP coverage rate in Ponta Delgada
News
Azores Oncology Centre
Regional Directorate for Health
Regional Directorate for Social Solidarity
Regional Directorate for Prevention and Control of Dependencies
Regional Health Inspectorate
Institute for Social Security of the Azores
Regional Directorate for the Promotion of Equality and Social Inclusion
Nota de Imprensa
February 3, 2026
Press release
Following the news reported today regarding the operation of the Gynaecology and Obstetrics services at the Santo Espírito Hospital of Terceira Island (HSEIT), the Regional Secretariat for Health and Social Security (SRSSS) wishes to clarify that it regrets that the information was disclosed through anonymous suspicions, without reliable sources from pregnant women or health professionals. It should also be noted that the SRSSS was not even heard on this matter. This has led to an alarmist interpretation of the situation, causing unnecessary concern among users and the general public. It is important to acknowledge that the Regional Health Service faces occasional constraints in terms of human resources. This situation is reflective of a broader reality within the National Health Service, as experienced in various regions of the country, particularly in gynaecology and obstetrics. Nevertheless, these constraints do not jeopardise the clinical safety of users, nor do they mean that care is disrupted. It should also be noted that the Regional Directorate for Health has no record of recent complaints regarding the operation of these services. HSEIT has ensured the monitoring of pregnant women, the response to urgent situations, and the delivery of babies, currently employing 12 doctors in the area of gynaecology and obstetrics, under different labour arrangements. Accordingly, most users have been receiving care within the Maximum Guaranteed Response Time. The Board of Directors of HSEIT has been working closely with clinical managers and healthcare professionals to increase the human resources in this department to reorganise schedules, reduce the workload, and gradually strengthen response capacity. This evidences the recognition of the commitment and dedication of the teams providing care daily. The SRSSS reiterates that the safety of pregnant women and newborns remains an absolute priority, closely monitoring the situation at HSEIT and ensuring that all necessary measures continue to be implemented to deliver adequate, safe, and humane healthcare.
February 3, 2026
Press release
Following the news reported today regarding the operation of the Gynaecology and Obstetrics services at the Santo Espírito Hospital of Terceira Island (HSEIT), the Regional Secretariat for Health and Social Security (SRSSS) wishes to clarify that it regrets that the information was disclosed through anonymous suspicions, without reliable sources from pregnant women or health professionals. It should also be noted that the SRSSS was not even heard on this matter. This has led to an alarmist interpretation of the situation, causing unnecessary concern among users and the general public. It is important to acknowledge that the Regional Health Service faces occasional constraints in terms of human resources. This situation is reflective of a broader reality within the National Health Service, as experienced in various regions of the country, particularly in gynaecology and obstetrics. Nevertheless, these constraints do not jeopardise the clinical safety of users, nor do they mean that care is disrupted. It should also be noted that the Regional Directorate for Health has no record of recent complaints regarding the operation of these services. HSEIT has ensured the monitoring of pregnant women, the response to urgent situations, and the delivery of babies, currently employing 12 doctors in the area of gynaecology and obstetrics, under different labour arrangements. Accordingly, most users have been receiving care within the Maximum Guaranteed Response Time. The Board of Directors of HSEIT has been working closely with clinical managers and healthcare professionals to increase the human resources in this department to reorganise schedules, reduce the workload, and gradually strengthen response capacity. This evidences the recognition of the commitment and dedication of the teams providing care daily. The SRSSS reiterates that the safety of pregnant women and newborns remains an absolute priority, closely monitoring the situation at HSEIT and ensuring that all necessary measures continue to be implemented to deliver adequate, safe, and humane healthcare.
Nota de Imprensa
January 31, 2026
Mónica Seidi highlights importance of MOVida 2 project in promoting active ageing
The Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, attended this week's presentation of the MOVida 2 project – Mobility for the Promotion of Quality of Life for the Elderly. Promoted by the São Miguel Seniors Association, this initiative aims to prevent loneliness and promote active ageing among the elderly population in the municipality of Ponta Delgada. In her speech, Mónica Seidi emphasised that the MOVida 2 project is fully aligned with the strategic guidelines of the Regional Programme for the Promotion of Active and Healthy Ageing (PRPEAS), recently approved by the Regional Government as part of the 2030 Regional Health Plan. “The Regional Government has been working towards active and healthy ageing as a strategic priority. PRPEAS translates this vision into an integrated approach based on promoting health, autonomy, social participation, and lifelong learning. As such, the MOVida 2 project is a tangible example of this public policy in action,” stated the Regional Secretary. The project is aimed at people aged 65 or over, residing in Ponta Delgada, directly involving 30 participants, 15 men and 15 women, continuing the pilot project that involved 10 elderly people. The intervention includes regular physical activity, namely Tai Chi and Chi Kung, cognitive and socio-emotional stimulation sessions, training sessions on information and communication technologies, and a strong involvement in cultural and leisure activities, promoting socialisation and the overall well-being of participants. According to the Regional Secretary, this integrated approach reflects several of the PRPEAS pillars, namely health and well-being, autonomy and independent living, lifelong development and learning, and participation in society. It also contributes to the fight against ageism and the recognition of seniors as active agents in the community. “We want to add life to years, not just years to life. This is what PRPEAS advocates, and this is what initiatives such as MOVida 2 help to achieve, through innovative responses that are close to communities and people-centred,” emphasised Mónica Seidi. This project is funded by the Regional Secretariat for Health and Social Security, through the Regional Directorate for the Promotion of Equality and Social Inclusion, with financial support amounting to €10,000. It has been running since the beginning of 2026, with activities already underway following initial assessments of participants' physical and cognitive abilities, and their degree of loneliness. For the government official, coordination between local projects and regional programmes "is essential to ensure more effective and sustainable public policies that can be replicated in other contexts in the Region, contributing to a more inclusive and healthy society that is prepared for an ageing population."
January 31, 2026
Mónica Seidi highlights importance of MOVida 2 project in promoting active ageing
The Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, attended this week's presentation of the MOVida 2 project – Mobility for the Promotion of Quality of Life for the Elderly. Promoted by the São Miguel Seniors Association, this initiative aims to prevent loneliness and promote active ageing among the elderly population in the municipality of Ponta Delgada. In her speech, Mónica Seidi emphasised that the MOVida 2 project is fully aligned with the strategic guidelines of the Regional Programme for the Promotion of Active and Healthy Ageing (PRPEAS), recently approved by the Regional Government as part of the 2030 Regional Health Plan. “The Regional Government has been working towards active and healthy ageing as a strategic priority. PRPEAS translates this vision into an integrated approach based on promoting health, autonomy, social participation, and lifelong learning. As such, the MOVida 2 project is a tangible example of this public policy in action,” stated the Regional Secretary. The project is aimed at people aged 65 or over, residing in Ponta Delgada, directly involving 30 participants, 15 men and 15 women, continuing the pilot project that involved 10 elderly people. The intervention includes regular physical activity, namely Tai Chi and Chi Kung, cognitive and socio-emotional stimulation sessions, training sessions on information and communication technologies, and a strong involvement in cultural and leisure activities, promoting socialisation and the overall well-being of participants. According to the Regional Secretary, this integrated approach reflects several of the PRPEAS pillars, namely health and well-being, autonomy and independent living, lifelong development and learning, and participation in society. It also contributes to the fight against ageism and the recognition of seniors as active agents in the community. “We want to add life to years, not just years to life. This is what PRPEAS advocates, and this is what initiatives such as MOVida 2 help to achieve, through innovative responses that are close to communities and people-centred,” emphasised Mónica Seidi. This project is funded by the Regional Secretariat for Health and Social Security, through the Regional Directorate for the Promotion of Equality and Social Inclusion, with financial support amounting to €10,000. It has been running since the beginning of 2026, with activities already underway following initial assessments of participants' physical and cognitive abilities, and their degree of loneliness. For the government official, coordination between local projects and regional programmes "is essential to ensure more effective and sustainable public policies that can be replicated in other contexts in the Region, contributing to a more inclusive and healthy society that is prepared for an ageing population."