Mónica Seidi says this is time for "reflection, unity and decision" - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social

Today, 18 days after the fire at the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital (HDES), the Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, presented the budget priorities in the areas under her responsibility, defending that this is the time for "reflection, unity and decision."

"This is a time for reflection. It is a time for unity. And a time for decision! It is more than time for the  Regional Health Service users to be a real concern for all of us. This is the time to start bringing our patients home," she said.

The government official spoke at the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, in the city of Horta, on the second day of the discussion of the proposals for the Medium-Term Guidelines 2024-2028 and the Plan and Budget for 2024.

She continued: "I can tell you that the results of the counter-analysis of the water station that supplies the HDES Nephrology Service obtained yesterday [Tuesday] are within normal parameters. As such, today, with the logistical support of SATA, the patients receiving care in Madeira will return, followed by the patients receiving care on the islands of Faial and Terceira next Sunday and Monday."

In the immediate future, Mónica Seidi admitted, "the HDES needs to be repaired, so that it can continue to operate, even with limitations, and there is the possibility of finding temporary solutions that will allow, as soon as possible, the return of services that are outside the hospital's perimeter, namely the areas dedicated to emergency care that currently operate at the CUF Hospital" in Lagoa.

"As of today, and assuming that this is a preliminary estimate that will be further detailed by the Working Group set up for this purpose, the figure for the HDES to resume the services provided to the community is set at 24.3 million Euros for 2024. I reiterate that this is a preliminary figure and concerns expenses incurred in repairs and operation costs," she added.  

The future, the Regional Secretary continued, "clearly involves" a " renovated and modernised" HDES that "addresses the challenges of the citizens of São Miguel and all Azoreans over the next 30 years."

"Recognising the exceptional circumstances in which we live, it is the Regional Government's mission to continue investing in the professionals within the Regional Health Service, promoting the careers that make it up," she said, mentioning the importance of human resources in this sector.

"Even without imagining what we would experience on May 4, the Investment Plan for 2024 prioritises the training of professionals in the sector by increasing the funding for this purpose," she said.

Regarding social responses, and specifically active ageing, the "New Elderly" programme, an "example of the paradigm shift" that the previous coalition Government implemented in the Azores, "will also be replicated in several municipalities."

She continued: "Following the success of the 1st and 2nd phases of applications, we intend to launch a 3rd phase next June, corresponding to a total investment of three million euros this year."

We must also continue to consolidate policies to fight against poverty and social exclusion, with the active participation and cooperation of the Private Social Solidarity Institutions and Misericórdias (charities).

"In this regard, and after the Centre for Social Studies at the University of Coimbra submitted it to this department in February, we intend to implement the Regional Plan for Social Inclusion and Citizenship," said Mónica Seidi.

While recognising the immediate support for the most vulnerable, the so-called "pension supplement" will be increased "according to the income of its beneficiaries, emphasising greater support for those with lower income."

"This represents a 20% increase for the 1st bracket this year, which will mean that these beneficiaries will receive 113.98 Euros per month," she said.

Meanwhile, the COMPAMID measure, "which has seen exponential growth in the number of beneficiaries, will be increased by 5%, totalling 608 Euros/year."

It should be noted that this amount stood at 305 Euros in 2018 and only covered 5,300 beneficiaries, while it now reaches 24,770 beneficiaries.

"The effort to take the Azores forward has a common element over the years: unity, solidarity and resilience in the face of misfortune, wherever it may come from. We are a united people, survivors, and we always come out stronger at the end of each ordeal," said the Regional Secretary.