HSEIT carries out first catheterisations and reinforces Azorean Government’s commitment to specialised healthcare - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social

The Government of the Azores, through the Regional Secretariat for Health and Social Security, congratulates the Santo Espírito Hospital of Terceira Island (HSEIT) on having carried out the first three cardiac catheterisations at the new Haemodynamics Unit this Monday, marking an important milestone in the development of healthcare provision in the Autonomous Region of the Azores.

The performance of these procedures represents the completion of a new stage in the Regional Government’s strategy to strengthen the care capacity of the Regional Health Service (SRS), through investment in equipment, infrastructure and specialised clinical services, thus bringing healthcare closer to patients and reducing the need for them to travel to other hospitals.

This breakthrough follows a series of strategic investments made in HSEIT, namely the reopening of the Intermediate Cardiac Care Unit – also known as the Coronary Care Unit – in January this year, which had been closed since 2012, and the opening of the new Haemodynamics Unit in August.

According to the Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, the performance of the first catheterisation procedures represents “a particularly important moment for HSEIT and the Regional Health Service, demonstrating that the investments made by the Azorean Government have resulted in new, tangible solutions for patients.”

“Having re-established a vital service in the field of cardiology – which had been closed for over a decade – and having equipped the hospital with a modern Haemodynamics Unit, we are now taking a further step towards implementing a strategy that places clinical excellence, quality of care and proximity to citizens at the heart of our priorities,” emphasised the government official.

The new Haemodynamics Unit enhances diagnostic capacity and treatment of cardiovascular diseases through minimally invasive procedures. It contributes to swifter, more specialised responses to cardiac patients and strengthens the complementary roles between regional hospitals.

Alongside investment in equipment and infrastructure, the Regional Government also continues to prioritise the development and training of its staff; a vacancy is now available for specialist medical training in cardiology at HSEIT, as part of the medical internship programme.

This opportunity represents a further step towards strengthening the hospital’s training capacity and creating the conditions to attract and retain medical specialists in the Region, thereby contributing to the sustainability and continuity of healthcare provision in this area.

Mónica Seidi also emphasised that “the commitment to technological modernisation and diversification of hospital services is essential to ensure that Azoreans can increasingly access specialised healthcare, regardless of their island of residence."

The Government of the Azores also expresses its appreciation and gratitude to the Board of Directors of HSEIT and all the healthcare professionals involved in this project, particularly the clinical and technical teams who have made it possible to deliver this new healthcare service.

“This is also a result of the commitment, expertise and dedication of HSEIT staff, to whom I offer my special thanks. It is through skilled teams, investment and a strategic vision for the future that we will continue to strengthen the Regional Health Service,” concluded Mónica Seidi.