Mónica Seidi highlights full renewal of Terceira Island Health Unit's fleet - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social

The Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, chaired today, in Praia da Vitória, the delivery of new vehicles for the Terceira Island Health Unit (USIT), as part of the full renewal of the institution’s vehicle fleet—a long-overdue and profoundly transformative measure aimed at strengthening the local healthcare services provided to residents of Terceira.

With the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), USIT will benefit from the acquisition of 17 new vehicles, representing an investment of over €816,000, marking a historic renewal unseen in more than two decades.

The modernisation of the fleet will significantly improve working conditions for healthcare professionals, whilst enhancing the safety of daily travel for healthcare provision across the island, particularly in home visits and community care.

The Regional Secretary emphasised that “the complete renewal of the Terceira Island Health Unit’s fleet is an essential investment to ensure better conditions for responding to the population and greater safety for healthcare professionals."

The government official also highlighted the strategy to strengthen USIT healthcare capacity, which will soon be hiring three more General Practitioners, thereby consolidating primary healthcare provision on the island.

Currently, Terceira Island has a GP coverage rate of 95%, the result of the Regional Government’s ongoing investment in developing human resources and strengthening the Regional Health Service.

By the end of the first quarter of 2026, the Terceira Island Health Unit had 360 staff members, which is over a hundred more than in 2019, reflecting the consistent growth in the institution’s response capacity.

Between 2021 and 2026, total investment in USIT amounts to €2.4 million, earmarked for technological modernisation, equipment upgrading and increased operational capacity.

The Regional Secretary reiterated: “We are investing in people, infrastructure and innovation to ensure a Regional Health Service that is more resilient, more accessible and better equipped to meet the needs of the Azorean population, from Corvo to Santa Maria.”