Communiqué from the Council of the Government - Communication

The Council of the Government, which met on June 20, 2024, in Angra do Heroísmo, adopted the following measures:

1. Pass the Resolution approving the 2030 Regional Health Plan.

The Regional Health Plan is the guiding document for the provision of health care to the Azorean population for a decade, defining the current situation and setting goals to be achieved.

The 2030 Regional Health Plan establishes the following as priority intervention programmes:

a) Regional Programme for Preventing and Controlling Smoking;

b) Regional Programme for Promoting Healthy Eating;

c) Regional Programme for Promoting Health Literacy;

d) Regional Programme for Combating Oncological Diseases;

e) Regional School Health Programme;

f) Regional Mental Health Strategy;

g) Regional Programme for Reducing Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies;

h) Regional Programme for Promoting Integrated Care;

i) Regional Programme for Improving Integrated Responses to Emerging and Critical Situations;

j) Regional multisectoral programme for monitoring and promoting births and

k) Regional Programme for Monitoring and Improving Infant Mortality.

The major challenge of the 2030 Regional Health Plan is to ensure an equitable distribution of resources that will lead to equal health outcomes in the coming decades.

For the first time in the history of regional health plans, the differences between islands in certain indicators will be studied. Based on these differences, specific local strategies will have to be implemented.

The new Regional Health Plan for the Azores is aligned with the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which is based on the principle of guaranteeing access to quality health care and promoting well-being for people of all ages.

As an indispensable health governance tool, this Plan will help health professionals, regional entities, citizens and Azorean society, in general, to look towards the same horizon and work towards improving the health and well-being of all, comprehensively and based on a strategy consisting of recommendations, guidelines and actions to maximise health gains.

2.  Approve the Resolution authorising the expenditure on the contract to be signed exclusively for the part of the works contract - Connection between Via Vitorino Nemésio and Angra Ring Road," for which the Autonomous Region of the Azores is responsible, up to a maximum of amount of €5,537,606.54 (five million, five hundred thirty-seven thousand, six hundred six Euros and fifty-four cents), plus VAT at the legal rate in force.

This work aims to improve accessibility, mobility and road safety conditions on the regional road section between Via Vitorino Nemésio and the Angra Ring Road, as well as the connection to the parish of Posto Santo, covering an approximate length of 3.1 kilometres.

The intervemtion includes improvements to the existing road and pavements, an increase in the radius of curvature on low-visibility turns, improved signage, improved junctions, the introduction of pedestrian routes, car parking and the installation of public lighting.

Improvements will also be made to junctions no. 1 - Araucária Roundabout, no. 2 - Access to Canada do Vimial and no. 3 - AIC Roundabout.

3. Approve the Resolution declaring urgent public utility, for the the compulsory purchase and authorisation of administrative possession, of the urban property located at Avenida Conselheiro Poças Falcão n.º 33, parish of Santa Cruz, municipality of Lagoa.

The public utility declaration regarding the compulsory purchase of the aforementioned property is necessary for the implementation of the Car Park in the Avenida Poças Falcão area in the city of Lagoa.

4.  Approve the Resolution declaring the urgent public utility, for the compulsory purchase and authorisation of administrative possession, of four urban properties located at Calhau D'areia, also known as Beco de São Pedro, no. 6, parish of Nossa Senhora do Rosário, municipality of Lagoa.

The public utility declaration concerning the compulsory purchase of the aforementioned properties is necessary for the expansion of the cycle lane in the city of Lagoa, from Portinho de São Pedro to Baía de Santa Cruz.

5.  Approve the Resolution delegating to the Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment the powers to carry out all the actions necessary to finalise the public tender procedure for the acquisition of services for drawing up the project for housing construction in the Candeias Housing Development in the parish of Fenais da Luz, municipality of Ponta Delgada.

Approve the Regional Legislative Decree proposal to adapt the national system for risk monitoring, communication, special alerts, and warnings to the entire territory of the Autonomous Region of the Azores.

The geographical location, geomorphology and geodynamic context of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, with extreme weather and maritime events, volcanism, seismicity and other geological risks, expose it to the risk of accidents arising from natural (meteorological, volcanological, seismic) or technological events, with severe impacts on people and property.

In the event of a serious accident or catastrophe, the increased risks posed by the island territory can be mitigated if the population is kept aware and informed by a local organisation familiar with the regional situation and on which they can rely for rescue and assistance.