Mónica Seidi highlights “inclusive and collaborative process” at first meeting of Working Group for setting up Azores Academic Clinical Centre - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social

The Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, chaired today, via video link, the first meeting of the Working Group responsible for the creation of the Academic Clinical Centre in the Autonomous Region of the Azores, a multidisciplinary body established by Order no.843-A/2026 of April 22.

This working group comprises representatives from the University of the Azores, the Regional Secretariat for Health and Social Security, the three regional hospitals, the Island Health Units and the Azores Oncology Centre, whose members were appointed by Order no. 954/2026 of April 30, reflecting a comprehensive, collaborative and strategic approach to assessing the requirements necessary for the creation of a leading Academic Clinical Centre in the Region.

It is also important to note that this group includes members with direct experience in creating and developing other Academic Clinical Centres in the country, reinforcing the technical and strategic strength of this work.

At the opening of the proceedings, Mónica Seidi emphasised that this process is based on close cooperation between the Government of the Azores and the University of the Azores, reiterating their shared commitment to building a solid, recognised project of excellence.

"We are rigorously following all the necessary steps to ensure that the Azores can have an Academic Clinical Centre on a par with the best in the country, with the conditions, critical mass and capacity to match or even surpass other existing centres,” stated the Regional Secretary.

She also emphasised that the strategic goal is to create a solid model that ensures high standards of training, research and clinical innovation, always guided by the overarching aim of improving the quality of healthcare provision in the Region.

“This is an inclusive, participatory and unifying process, developed in collaboration with all relevant bodies. The Regional Government is fully committed to ensuring its success,” stated Mónica Seidi.

The Regional Secretary also pointed out that the creation of an Academic Clinical Centre represents a strategic opportunity to further distinguish the Regional Health Service, enhance medical and academic training in the Region, attract talent, and establish the Azores as a hub for health innovation.

The work now underway will involve analysing models, identifying conditions and presenting a specific proposal on the terms for the potential creation of this structure. The Regional Government intends to pursue this initiative with ambition, rigour and a forward-looking vision.