José Manuel Bolieiro highlights upgrading as priority to modernise public services - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

The President of the Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, visited today the Nordeste Health Centre, where renovation works are underway. The project involved an investment of about €1 million and has improved the safety, functionality and efficiency of this healthcare facility, which serves the local community.

The head of the Azorean Government highlighted the importance of the works, which has resolved various structural and construction issues identified in the building, ensuring better conditions for patients and staff.

“With this refurbishment, we have managed to upgrade this health centre in terms of its infrastructural safety and the use of environmentally friendly solutions. We now have better conditions for providing healthcare and working here,” stated José Manuel Bolieiro.

The works included the structural refurbishment of reinforced concrete elements, the correction of construction defects, the restoration of façades and roofs, the renewal of the water supply and firefighting systems, and the installation of new systems for the production and distribution of hot water. In addition, the intervention covered the modernisation of critical technical infrastructure and improvements in areas such as the Basic Emergency Unit, outpatient unit, physiotherapy and radiology units, and administrative services.

José Manuel Bolieiro took the opportunity to call for “greater emphasis” on renovation projects in future EU funding instruments, defending that many of the regions’ needs involve the renovation and adaptation of existing infrastructure.

“I have been working to raise awareness among European authorities so that the new multiannual financial framework is capable of supporting not only new construction, but also the renovation, refurbishment and optimisation of existing infrastructure. In many cases, our own budgets are insufficient to address these needs,” he stressed.

The President of the Regional Government added that this is a strategic approach that the Azorean Government intends to continue pursuing in different areas of governance.

“With this investment, we are doing precisely that: renovating, refurbishing and upgrading what already exists. It is a commitment we wish to continue developing in key sectors such as health and education, where we have buildings that are already in place and operational, but which require modernisation and adaptation to current requirements,” he stated.

The visit was also an opportunity to highlight the achievements of the Nordeste Health Centre, which continues to establish itself as a vital facility for healthcare in the municipality. In 2025, the centre conducted a total of 58,194 consultations, including 20,465 GP consultations, 7,066 admissions to the Basic Emergency Unit, and 25,175 nursing consultations. Additionally, there were 312 oral health consultations, 2,367 physiotherapy sessions, 466 nutrition consultations, 704 psychology consultations, 535 cardiopulmonary tests, and 983 radiology tests.

The Nordeste Health Centre currently has 4,924 registered users, of whom 4,883 have been assigned a GP, corresponding to a coverage rate of 99.2%, one of the highest figures in the Autonomous Region of the Azores.

José Manuel Bolieiro highlighted that these figures demonstrate the centre’s importance to the local population and the need to continue investing in improving healthcare provision.

“When we invest in infrastructure, we are investing in people. We are creating better conditions for healthcare professionals to carry out their work and ensuring a better service for the public, with greater accessibility, higher quality and improved care,” he emphasised.

In addition to this investment, an X-ray machine worth €300,000 will be installed to boost diagnostic capacity in primary healthcare and avoid unnecessary travel for patients to other healthcare facilities.

Alongside the works undertaken by the Regional Directorate for Public Works, the São Miguel Island Health Unit also carried out additional works deemed essential to maximise the benefits of the refurbishment works. These include the replacement of hospital-grade vinyl flooring in several clinical areas and the waterproofing of a flat roof. In-house resources were also mobilised for interior painting, furniture refurbishment, equipment maintenance and minor functional adaptations to the spaces, without the need for external contractors.